Two county lines drug dealers jailed in Congleton

Two members of the ‘Wez’ county lines team, who supplied class A drugs in Congleton, have been jailed.

Leon Crawford and Matthew Tyrer both appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 17th October where they were sentenced.

Crawford, 46, of Green Way Close in Roby, was sentenced to four years in prison, while Tyrer, 51, of no fixed abode in the Congleton area, was sentenced to four years and four months.

An investigation was launched after detectives became aware of three mobile numbers advertising the sale of heroin and crack cocaine to local drug users in Congleton.

Crawford was quickly identified as the controller of the county line, which had been operating in the Congleton area since December 2024, whereas Tyrer acted as a street dealer.

A warrant was conducted at an address on Juniper Close, Holmes Chapel, on Saturday 29th March 2025.

Crawford and Tyrer were subsequently arrested, and officers seized a quantity of crack cocaine, a quantity of heroin, and cash.

A list of drug dealers and drug paraphernalia, such as scales, were also recovered from the home.

The pair were subsequently charged with the offences.

Detective Inspector Rob Balfour, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said:

“Tyrer and Crawford thought that they could get away with bringing crack cocaine and heroin into Congleton, but they were wrong.

“I welcome the sentences handed to them, and I hope this sends a clear message that county lines activity has no place in the town.

“We are doing all we can to stop drug activity on our streets to make our county a safer place to live and visit while also making it extremely difficult for these gangs to operate.

“We will always act on any information about drug activity provided to us and would urge anyone who believes this activity is happening near to them, to please contact Cheshire Police.”

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in their area can report it to Cheshire Police via the Cheshire Police website or report it to Crimestoppers via the Crimestoppers website.

Pictured - Leon Crawford and Matthew Tyrer.