Four members of drugs gang jailed for supplying crack cocaine

An organised crime gang has been jailed for more than 20 years for dealing crack cocaine.

Riley Broster, Ryan Winkle, Thomas Turner, and Guavanel Agrela pleaded guilty to the conspiracy to supply class A drugs. An investigation into the gang began after detectives from Ellesmere Port CID were made aware of two mobile phone numbers which were known to be used for selling illegal drugs in the local area.

The two numbers were used to send out regular 'flare messages' to drug addicts in the area, offering to supply them with illegal substances. After extensive enquiries, officers concluded that the phones were controlled by Winkle and Broster.

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The pair were responsible for sending the messages and taking orders while Broster was also responsible for sourcing the drugs. Turner was identified as the gang's street dealer and distributed the drugs directly to addicts.

Agrela was found to have allowed his home on Pembridge Court to be used as a stash house and the gang would regularly use the flat as a secure base to produce crack cocaine and secure it for delivery. The gang was arrested on Wednesday, February 9 when detectives conducted a series of warrants across Ellesmere Port.

During the warrants, officers uncovered a large amount of drug paraphernalia, a mobile phone, around £900 in cash as well as £1,000 worth of crack cocaine. All four men were then charged with conspiracy to supply class-A drugs.

Appearing at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, July 27, Broster, 26 of Hampton Gardens, Ellesmere Port received 6 years and 4 months, while Winkle, 28, of Pembridge Court, Ellesmere Port received 5 years and 8 months. Meanwhile,