A WARRINGTON man has been jailed as a result of police drugs raids in Runcorn and Widnes.
He is behind bars after being sentenced at Warrington Crown Court on Friday.
Carl Critchley, 31, of Densham Avenue, Warrington, was arrested on Wednesday, July 12, during a series of dawn raids targeting suspected Class A drug dealers.
Critchley was sentenced to four years in prison, after pleaded guilty last Friday to charges of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and robbery.
Operation Crackdown was the largest drugs operation of its kind to be carried out by Cheshire police.
About 300 officers took part in early morning raids at 30 properties in Runcorn, Widnes, Liverpool and Warrington. Officers arrested a total of 20 suspects as a result of the operation and all were subsequently charged with various drugs offences.
Operation Crackdown followed months of intelligence gathering by officers from Northern Area, coupled with information supplied by the community, keen to remove drug suppliers from their doorsteps.
Following Friday's sentencing, DCI Martin Cleworth said: 'Critchley played an instrumental role in a Class A drugs supply ring in Warrington.
'Local residents will hopefully feel reassured by today's sentencing which should send out a strong warning to others who conspire to supply Class A drugs.'
Operation Crack Down is an ongoing operation in Halton and Warrington.
Anyone with information about drugs should contact Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on: 0800 555111.
