County Lines drug dealer caught on A51 in Nantwich is jailed

A county lines drug dealer who was stopped by police on the A51 in Nantwich, has been found guilty of dealing class A drugs in the Crewe area.

Videsh Raghoonanan appeared at Chester Crown Court where he was jailed for four years and six months.

The 38-year-old, of Alcester Street, Birmingham, had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

The investigation began after officers became aware that the ‘Ghost’ county lines gang were actively selling drugs in the Crewe area.

Raghoonanan was identified as the controller of the line after officers found the mobile number he used to send hundreds of ‘flare’ messages advertising the sale of drugs.

Officers on patrol spotted Raghoonanan travelling in a BMW 5 Series along the A51 London Road, Nantwich, towards the Crewe area at around 5.45pm on April 28.

Officers stopped the vehicle and Raghoonanan was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Following a search, officers seized a quantity of drugs hidden in Raghoonanan’s underwear.

They also located the phone used by Raghoonanan to distribute and supply crack cocaine and heroin.

A warrant conducted at his home in Birmingham revealed a quantity of cash, drugs, and drug paraphernalia.

The drugs seized from Raghoonanan was valued at approximately £10,400.

Following the sentencing, a Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “Raghoonanan targeted Crewe thinking that it would be an easy place to deal drugs, what he didn’t realise is that we were hot on his trail.

“We were able to provide a catalogue of evidence against Raghoonanan leaving him no option but to plead guilty to the charges against him.

“Illegal drugs can have a devastating impact on not only drug users, but the community around them.

“We are doing all we can to stop drug activity on our streets to make Crewe a safer place to live, work and visit, while also making it extremely hostile place for criminals.

“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 us on 101 or visit www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us.”