Crime gang sentenced for conspiracy to supply cannabis

A crime gang responsible for bringing cannabis into Ellesmere Port has been sentenced.

The following individuals appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 27 November after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis:

• Ryan Pugh, 27, of Acre Road, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to four years.
• Michael Pugh, 22, of Cavell Drive, Whitby, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to 12 months.
• Nigel Roberts, 43, of Newnham Drive, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to 12 months.
• Connor Brookes, 25, of Frank Webb Avenue, Crewe, was sentenced to 12 months.
• Craig Ambrose, 33, of Woodvale Road, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to 10 months suspended for two years.
• Karen Wildman, 52, of Acre Road, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to 10 months suspended for two years.
• Daniel Lewis, 22, of Maple Avenue, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to six months suspended for two years.
• Leonah Tushingham, 25, of Acre Road, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to six months suspended for two years.

Michael Pugh also pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine while Ryan Pugh also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the importation of a class B drug.

Cheshire Police began an investigation into the importation and supply of cannabis in the Ellesmere Port area of Cheshire following packages of the drug being intercepted by Border Force officials.

Between 15th October and 3rd November 2023, three 1kg packages of cannabis were seized which were being sent to addresses in Ellesmere Port. 

On 4th April 2024, a search warrant was conducted at Tushingham’s address, and a large amount of cannabis was located in an outhouse in the garden. Ryan Pugh was also present and had the key to the outhouse in his possession. Both were arrested and Ryan Pugh’s phone was seized.

The mobile phone showed evidence that he was responsible for directing street dealers, organising stash houses and couriers, and arranging the purchase of multi-kilo amounts of cannabis from upstream suppliers.

Messages also showed that various other individuals were involved in the operation. Brookes and Michael Pugh were working for Ryan Pugh as dealers. Wildman had been storing and preparing the cannabis for onward supply and Ambrose acted as a courier.

During the first search warrant in April, a rucksack was seized which contained a large amount of cannabis. Some of the cannabis was packaged in sealed sandwich bags. Following forensic testing, it was established that Lewis’ DNA was present on the packaging.

On 5th June 2024, officers executed search warrants at both Wildman and Ambrose’s addresses. A large quantity of cannabis was located at Wildman’s address while Ambrose’s phone was seized from his address which contained images of cannabis and messages between him and Ryan Pugh.

On 2nd August 2024, Roberts was arrested at his home address with personal amounts of cannabis in his possession and the packaging was identical to that which has been seized previously as part of this investigation.

The total value of the drugs seized throughout the investigation was up to more than £69,000.

PC Ashbrook said:

“I welcome the sentences handed to Ryan Pugh and his associates, who were responsible for bringing cannabis into Ellesmere Port.

“Our officers worked tirelessly throughout this investigation to bring these individuals to justice, gathering a catalogue of evidence.

“But while this crime gang has now been held accountable for their crimes, our fight against illegal drugs is never over.

“We will continue to combat this behaviour to protect the communities we serve."

Anyone with any information about drug related activity should get in touch via our website or 101.

Pictured - Ryan Pugh, Michael Pugh, Nigel Roberts and Connor Brookes.