Man jailed for drugs offences following vehicle stop on the A5117 near Stanney Woods

A man from Ellesmere Port who was found to be in possession of 48,000 nitrous oxide cannisters following a vehicle stop on the A5117 has been jailed.

At around 10am on Sunday 27 March, Keaton Ormerod-Beck was driving a black Ford Focus on the A41 in Ellesmere Port when he was spotted inhaling a blue balloon by officers on patrol in an unmarked police car.

Officers followed the vehicle onto the A5117 before causing the vehicle to stop near to Stanney Woods, Ellesmere Port.

After speaking to the Ormerod-Beck, officers noticed a number of used nitrous oxide cannisters littered throughout his car and decided to search the vehicle where they discovered a quantity of cannabis resin.

A drugs expert stated that the cannabis resin had an estimated street resale value of between £3,000 and £6,000.

Ormerod-Beck was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B and class C drugs (cannabis and nitrous oxide).

Later that day, officers were made aware of an address in Little Sutton linked to Ormerod-Beck as well as a storage unit belonging to him near to Europa Way, Ellesmere Port.

Officers conducted searches at both addresses and recovered packaging for two kilos of cocaine, between £5000-£1000 cash, drug paraphernalia and 48,000 nitrous oxide cannisters with an estimated wholesale value of approximately £61,400.

He was subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (ketamine), being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine), possession with intent to supply class B drugs (cannabis), possession with intent to supply class C drugs (nitrous oxide) and not being in proper control of a vehicle.

The 25-year-old of Chester Road, Ellesmere Port, appeared at Chester Crown Court today, Wednesday 28 June, where he was jailed for five years and four months after pleading guilty to the offences.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Stuart Needham, of the CID Proactive Team, said:

“Ormerod-Beck showed no regard for the law and put other road users at serious risk.

“Thankfully, our officers PC Swash and PC Davies stopped him in his tracks before he caused any further damage and, in the process, uncovered thousands of pounds worth of illegal drugs in his possession.

“This case shows the importance of the police’s power to stop and search people they suspect to be breaking the law.

“Ormerod-Beck was previously unknown to the police and tried to operate under the radar, but thanks to stop and search powers and the due diligence of our roads policing officers, a dangerous drug dealer is now behind bars and a significant amount of illegal drugs have been removed from our streets.

“I welcome the sentence handed to Ormerod-Beck today and I hope it demonstrates that drug dealing in Ellesmere Port or elsewhere in Cheshire will not be tolerated.

“While this investigation has now concluded, our fight against illegal drugs, and those who supply them, continues.

“Intelligence supplied by members of the public is crucial to this fight and I urge anyone with any information about suspected drug related activity in their community to get in touch.

“You will be listened to, and we will investigate the matter.”

You can report suspected drug dealing to Cheshire Constabulary directly by calling 101 or giving the details online via:

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report

Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on:

0800 555 111

Pictured - Keaton Ormerod-Beck.