THREE men have been jailed for their involvement in a cocaine and heroin drugs ring operating between Liverpool and Warrington.

As previously reported in the Warrington Guardian, David Thomason and Raymond Johnson were jailed on April 13.

Thomason's girlfriend Paula Perkins and the ringleader Alan Bell also appeared at Liverpool Crown Court.

Bell supplied the drugs from his home in Buckingham Road, Tuebrook, Liverpool and was sentenced to four years in prison on Wednesday, May 2. 

Bell, 32, and his uncle Johnson, 47, were detained in October after police officers stopped a vehicle on the M62 between junction seven at St Helens and nine at Winwick.

A large quantity of heroin and cocaine and mobile phones containing numerous drug dealing related messages were confiscated from Bell

Andrew McInnes, prosecuting, said: “Johnson was monitored by police driving the Vauxhall Astra in October 2017 on four occasions, police discovered 19 cannabis plants at Johnson’s house shortly after.

“Police raided the house shared by Paula Perkins and David Thomason at the time and found three wraps of heroin and one wrap of cocaine along with mobile phones and drug paraphernalia.

“The phone contained messages showing contact with Alan Bell.”

The court heard how Thomason, of Grasmere Avenue, Orford, would deliver drugs on his mountain bike from his house, working for Bell who was based in Liverpool.

He has 40 convictions for 94 offences, including 59 thefts and seven drug related incidents.

Philip Tully, defending Thomason who pleaded guilty to supplying class A drugs, said: “This is an all too common a story of a man with a class A drug addiction.

“He was living with Ms Perkins at the time and was a user. He was involved with the delivery and supply and so there was a commercial element to it.

“He was phoned by Bell and was a vulnerable person himself with a long addiction to drugs. He is a man who commits crime to fund his addiction.

Mr Tully then described his client as a 'good father and a family man'.

Johnson, from Liverpool, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and producing cannabis.

Anthony Rose, defending Johnson, said: “When my client’s benefits changed, times were very difficult and the bailiffs were at the door.

“He started to work for his nephew, Alan Bell, to drive between Liverpool and Warrington for £50 each time

“He fully knew what was going on and he made a very poor decision which was not worth the risks.

“The opportunity presented itself to earn some money through his nephew.”

Johnson was handed a 30-month prison sentence while David Thomason received three-and-a-half years in jail.

Perkins pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs in October.

Jeremy Rawson, defending her, said: “She has three previous convictions from 2003 but none related to drugs.

“She is working with Pathways on her recovery.”

Judge Anil Murray ordered a conditional discharge on the 39-year-old, of Barbondale Close, Whittle Hall, for two years.

Detective Sergeant Adrian Priest, of Cheshire Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “I would like to thank all of the officers and staff involved in the operation for the dedication and commitment that they showed in bringing these offenders to justice.

“Drugs have a detrimental impact on our towns and cities and removing those involved in drug dealing from our communities is of paramount importance.

“I hope that this case and the custodial sentences handed out to Bell, Johnson and Thomason sends out a clear message to other potential criminals that the use and supply of illegal drugs will not be tolerated in Cheshire.

“This case also shows that the police will act upon intelligence provided by the public in a bid to catch drug dealers and make them face the consequences of their actions.

“While this investigation has now concluded our fight against organised criminals continues 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 us directly by calling 101. Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.”