Drug dealer jailed following warrant in Winsford

A man from Winsford has been jailed after he admitted dealing illegal drugs in the town.

Ryleigh Howard appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 19 January where he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

The 18-year-old, of Snowdonia Way, Winsford, had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine), possession of Class B drugs (cannabis) and possession of criminal property.

The investigation began in September 2023 when officers received intelligence in relation to a mobile phone number involved in the sale of illegal drugs. The number was being used to send ‘flare’ messages to addicts across the town.

Following further enquiries, officers recovered CCTV footage which showed Howard purchasing a top-up card for the phone from the Premier Store on Cheviot Square.

A warrant was subsequently conducted at his home on Snowdonia Way at around 7.30am on Thursday 14 December, where officers discovered the mobile phone that was being used to sell the drugs along with a quantity of cannabis and cocaine.

Howard was arrested at the scene and a second warrant was subsequently conducted at an address linked to him on Wharton Gardens.

While searching the property in Wharton officers recovered a plastic tub and a large white canvas bag which contained approximately £16,500 cash.

On interview Howard made a full admission that he had been using the phone to sell cocaine and stated that the cash from the address in Wharton was the money he obtained from selling the drugs.

Following his sentencing Detective Constable Chris Forrest, of Northwich CID, said:

“I welcome the sentence handed to Howard and I hope it sends a warning to others who are tempted to deal illegal drugs.

“During our enquiries it was clear that Howard was a key player in the supply of cocaine in the Winsford area, flooding the streets with thousands of pounds worth of illegal drugs.

“The evidence against him was damning, leaving him with no option but to plead guilty to all of the charges.

“In addition to his prison sentence, all of the cash found during the warrants has been confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and will be handed back to the public purse – helping to demonstrate that crime really doesn’t pay.”

Pictured - Ryleigh Howard of Snowdonia Way in Winsford.