Northwich county lines gang jailed for more than 12 years

Four people who were members of a county lines gang in Northwich have been jailed for more than 12 years.

Dahir Sharis, Ilajah Cisse-Rubio, Shaun Tomlinson, and Sharon Mears, all appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 14 November where they were sentenced to a total of 12 years and four months in prison.

The sentences consisted of:

• Sharis, 19, of Kahina Court, Yarburgh Street, Manchester – jailed for four years for three counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
• Cisse-Rubio, 20, of Freetown Close, Manchester – jailed for four years for three counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
• Mears, 58, of Weaver View, Northwich, jailed for 28 months for two counts of supplying class A drugs.
• Tomlison 58, of Weaver View, Northwich, jailed for 28 months for two counts of supplying class A drugs.

In June 2024 police became aware of a mobile phone number which was being used to sell illegal drugs in the Northwich area.

The mobile had been linked to a number of flare messages which had been issued advertising the sale of heroin and crack cocaine. Enquiries suggested that the phone was being used by Tomlinson.

Following the discovery, a warrant was conducted at an address on Dock Road in Northwich, which was previously occupied by an associate of Tomlinson.

Upon entering the address at 4.50pm on Tuesday 16th July, Sharis attempted to flee the property, but was quickly arrested by officers.

Tomlinson and Mears were both located in the living room and detained by officers, while Cisse-Rubio was arrested in the bedroom.

Two 16-year-old youths were also arrested at the address.

During a search of the address officers located a quantity of crack cocaine, heroin, cannabis, £560 cash, digital scales and a number of mobile phones. The estimated value of the drugs found at the address was £6,000.

As a result of the discovery, a further warrant was conducted at the home of Tomlinson and Mears, a flat on Weaver View in Northwich, where officers recovered another mobile phone.

Following their arrests, all six suspects were taken to custody where they were questioned by officers. During questioning, all the defendants denied being involved in the sale of illegal drugs.

Despite their silence, after gathering a catalogue of evidence, all six were charged.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Robert Balfour, from the Op Apollo team, said:

“I welcome the sentences handed to the defendants in this case and I hope that they act as a warning to those involved in the sale of illegal drugs.

“In this case it was clear that Shariff, Cisse-Rubio, Mears and Tomlinson were all the controllers of the gang, using mobile phones to organise the sale of illegal drugs across the Northwich area.

Between them, they exploited the two teenagers, using them as street level dealers to sell drugs on their behalf.

“Thankfully, as a result of the evidence we were able to gather, all four offenders have now been held accountable and are now facing the consequences of his of his actions.

“Drug dealing has a hugely detrimental impact on our communities, and we’re committed to doing all we can to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

“While they are now behind bars, our fight against illegal drugs remains ongoing, and I would urge anyone with any information to get in touch via 101 or on the police website.”

Pictured - Dahir Sharis, Ilajah Cisse-Rubio, Shaun Tomlinson, and Sharon Mears.