after police surveillance operation

A GREAT Sankey man will appear at Warrington Crown Court tomorrow, Friday, to face drug dealing charges after he was arrested in a long-term police surveillance operation.

John Alan Maddock, aged 38, of Stocksdale Drive, Great Sankey, was arrested, along with two Runcorn men, last Wednesday as part of Operation Pagoda.

He was taken in following the discovery of a kilo block of cocaine at a pre-planned stop and check of a vehicle in Runcorn.

Jason Alexandra Dixon, the occupant of the vehicle, aged 22, of Palace Fields, was arrested, triggering further arrests, including that of Maddock.

Maddock and Dixon appeared at Runcorn Magistrates Court on Friday with Christopher Paul Rathbone, aged 28, of Sovereign Close.

All were charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine while Dickson was also charged with possession of a sawn-off shotgun and possession of a kilo of cocaine with intent to supply.

They appear at Warrington Crown Court tomorrow for a preliminary hearing.

Detective Inspector Darren Hebden, head of the Central Drugs Unit (CDU), said: "This operation is a prime example of Cheshire Constabulary's commitment to identify and tackle drug traffickers who consider themselves untouchable and re-enforces our ability to combat sophisticated and complex efforts to avoid detection."

He added: "Work is now in progress to identify and seize assets bought with drugs money."

The CDU focused on the activities of a drug trafficking gang based in Halton.

The operation gathered intelligence and evidence to dismantle the gang over a period of more than five months.