County line drug gang in Chester have been jailed for more than 12 years

Benjamin Carter, of Sprucewood Close, Liverpool; Jack Elliott, of Welton Green, Liverpool and Christopher Davidson, of Cemlyn Close, Chester, all appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 15 June, where they were sentenced to over 12 years behind bars.

Their associates, Kenneth Woods of Marsden Street, Liverpool and Alan Clelland of Snaefell Avenue, Liverpool all received suspended sentences for their involvement in the supply of class A drugs into Chester.

Carter and Elliott had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin).

Carter, aged 35, was sentenced to seven years; 25-year-old Eliott, was jailed for three years and Davidson, aged 41, was jailed for one year and four months.

Woods, aged 37, received 12 months suspended for 12 months with an additional 120 hours of unpaid work and Clelland, aged 60, received 8 months suspended for 18 months with an additional 120 hours of unpaid work.

The investigation into the team, referred to as the “Jonno” line, began in 2021, when detectives from Chester CID became aware of four mobile phone numbers which were being used to sell illegal drugs.

The numbers were regularly travelling from Liverpool into Chester, sending our hundreds of ‘flare messages’ to drug addicts in the area, offering to supply them with illegal drugs.

Following extensive enquiries officers identified that the phones were controlled by Carter and Elliott.

Between them the pair were responsible for sending the flare messages and handing out orders to those who worked for them.

Woods would assist Carter and Clelland was responsible for driving the line to and from Chester to facilitate the supply.

Davidson allowed his home on Cemlyn Close to be used for the supply of Class A drugs. The “Jonno” line used the flat as a secure base to produce crack cocaine and heroin and bag it up ready for delivery.

Following months of detailed investigations, detectives tracked the gang's whereabouts and between Saturday 7 January and Tuesday 17 January 2021, Carter, Elliott, Woods, Clelland and Davidson were all arrested by officers.

All five men were subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin).

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Stuart Needham, of Chester Proactive CID, said: “This is a fantastic result, not only are five drug dealers now facing the consequences of their criminality, but we were also able to remove a large quantity of crack cocaine and heroin from the streets of our town.

“During our enquiries it was clear that these men were all part of a well-established organised crime gang who were responsible for dealing large quantities of illegal drugs in the Chester area.

“Thanks to our detailed investigation we were able to bring the men to justice, leaving them with no option but to plead guilty to all of the offences.

“While this gang are now behind bars, out fight against illegal drugs continues and as part of this we need support from local residents. We need the public to be our eyes and ears and to come forward with information regarding drug dealing in the areas they live in.

“If you have any information about illegal drug activity or any other criminal activity taking place, please report it to us on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and we will do the rest.”

Pictured - Benjamin Carter, of Sprucewood Close, Liverpool; Jack Elliott, of Welton Green, Liverpool and Christopher Davidson, of Cemlyn Close, Chester.