Members of crime gang sentenced for supply of drugs in Congleton

Members of an organised crime group have been jailed for a combined total of more than 46 years for their involvement in the large-scale supply of class A and B drugs in Congleton and surrounding areas of Cheshire.

A total of 13 individuals appeared at Chester Crown Court between Wednesday 30 April and Friday 2 May for their role in the conspiracy.

The following were sentenced for conspiracy to supply both class A and B drugs:

• Damon Greenslade, 33, of Dale Crescent, Congleton (also charged with being concerned in the supply of class A) – 16 years and four months
• Daniel Greenslade, 34, of Ambleside Close, Macclesfield - 10 years and three months
• Reece Evans, 23, of Fern Crescent, Congleton – Seven years
• Jed Sutton, 26, of Heywood Close, Alderley Edge – Six years
• Lewis Charlesworth, 20, of Woolston Avenue, Congleton (also charged with being concerned in the supply of class A) - Four years and six months
• Kane Smith, 22, of Dale Crescent, Congleton - 16 months suspended for 18 months
• Tyler Meadows, 23, of Dale Crescent, Congleton - 21 months suspended for two years
• Jason Acton, 23, of Brown Street, Congleton – Two-year Community Order
• Nathan Edge, 21, of Shaw Close, Congleton (also charged with being concerned in the supply of class B) – Two-year Community Order

The following were sentenced for conspiracy to supply class B drugs:

• Patrick Bruce, 41, of Bessancourt, Holmes Chapel – Three years and 10 months
• Dillon Sweeney, 29, of Birch Street, Ashton-under-Lyne (also charged with being concerned in the supply of class A) – 18 months suspended for 18 months
• Bradley Dale, 20, of West Street, Congleton (also charged with being concerned in the supply of class B) – 12-month Community Order
• Ethan Taylor, 20, of High Lowe Avenue, Congleton (also charged with producing class B and being concerned in the supply of class B) – 12-month Community Order

Between 21 March 2020 and 21 June 2023, the ‘Dmo’ drugs line operated within Congleton and surrounding areas, supplying cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and other illicit substances. The controller of the line recruited juveniles into the group to act as street dealers.

Operation Chekov was launched as a proactive investigation into the group. Officers compiled extensive evidence of a phone number attribute to the Dmo line which was sending messages relating to drugs supply.

Across the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Bruce and Daniel Greenslade were responsible for supplying Damon Greenslade with the bulk amounts of drugs.  

Damon Greenslade was then responsible for the large-scale supply and distribution of cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and THC edibles in the Congleton area of Cheshire and surrounding towns. The drugs were sourced from beyond county lines, often with junior members of the OCG being sent to collect the drugs and return them to several market towns within Cheshire.

Next in command to Damon Greenslade were Chalesworth, Evans and Acton, who each controlled street-level dealers. These included Smith, Edge, Dale and Taylor.  

Sweeney was a courier, delivering and collecting drugs and money on behalf of Damon Greenslade. Sutton acted as a middleman between Bruce and Damon Greenslade, as well as being responsible for drug supply in Alderley Edge. Meadows assisted in the storage and exchange of significant quantities of drugs and cash.

During the investigation large amounts of cannabis, cocaine, and other illicit drugs with a combined estimated street value of up to £81,008 were seized. Police also recovered a total of £41,433.73 in cash, in addition to other high value items such as jewellery, vehicles and designer goods. The OCG as a whole is believed to have supplied up to 333kg of cannabis and between 8 and 9kg of cocaine.

The crime group operated between 10am-10pm each day and utilised social media and traditional flare messages to advertise the sale of drugs. Members also used other marketing tactics, such as special discounts, treasure hunts and ‘complimentary’ cannabis joints provided with specific purchases.

They had bespoke items adorned with the brand name, such as lighters. Damon Greenslade even had the name of the ‘Dmo’ drug line tattooed on himself, as well as other associated tattoos, including the phrase ‘can’t stop, won’t stop’.

In January 2021, Evans and Smith were arrested in Congleton for drugs supply offences. The home address of Damon Greenslade was also searched in January 2021 but despite this, the drugs line remained active, with him becoming paranoid about police. He had changed his address and was constantly reporting on the movements of drones and police vehicles.  

In January 2022, police executed four simultaneous warrants in Congleton and Macclesfield, targeting Damon Greenslade, Charlesworth, and Evans. A mobile phone was seized from the bedroom of Damon Greenslade which was confirmed to be the graft phone in control of the ‘Dmo’ drug line. The remainder of the suspects were then identified as being part of the OCG following the forensic download of the mobile phone.

In June 2023, a large-scale strike day was conducted targeting address in Cheshire and Greater Manchester. During the strike action almost all of the OCG members were arrested, and cash and drugs were seized. Meadows was arrested for her involvement on 31 July 2023.

Despite being arrested twice in relation to the offences and bailed while further enquiries were carried out, Damon Greenslade continued to operate the drugs line. He was arrested a final time in August 2024.

Detective Constable Sam Needham said:

“This has been a lengthy and complex investigation into a group of people intent on bringing illegal substances into Cheshire.

“These individuals thought they could reap the benefits of their criminal activity, purchasing high value items such as jewellery, vehicles, and designer goods, but this case demonstrates that crime really does not pay.

“Not only have they had a large amount of items and cash seized from them, but the leading members of the drugs conspiracy have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 46 years.

“This reflects the severity of drug-related crimes and the misery it causes to not just drug users, but entire communities.

"Damon Greenslade, who controlled the Dmo drugs line, specifically sought out and exploited juveniles into the ranks of the crime group, threatening and using violence to maintain control over those younger members, no doubt promising them rewards in return for their work.

“However, Damon Greenslade – who bragged ‘can’t stop, won’t stop’ and even had the phrase tattooed on himself along with the name of the drugs line – now has 16 years in prison to contemplate his actions and be reminded of his corrupt decisions.

“I hope the severity of the sentence handed down to Damon Greenslade in particular serves as a warning to those involved in similar criminality that this activity will not be tolerated in Cheshire.

“While this investigation has made sure a significant quantity of drugs has been taken off the streets, we will continue to fight against such behaviour and ensure those who are intent on fuelling such activity are brought before the courts.”

You can watch Cheshire Police's video of the arrests here...