A MAN linked with a drugs gang which supplied kilogrammes of crack cocaine and heroin in Ellesmere Port and Chester has been jailed.

Robert John Greenway, 37, of Mallory Road, Ellesmere Port, had denied conspiracy to supply the class A drugs, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of possessing with intent to supply cocaine and heroin when he appeared via videolink at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, December 2.

Prosecuting, Simon Parry said Greenway had been involved in one of two lines of the class A drugs enterprise – the so-called 'Dark Line' in Ellesmere Port – between February 27 and May 7, the latter date being when Greenway was arrested at his home, caught with drugs, phones and drug paraphernalia.

The two lines of the operation – the other being the 'Dell Line' in Lache, Chester – had supplied between 21.2kg and 42.5kg of crack cocaine and heroin throughout the operation, led by ring-leader Mark Cavanagh.

Greenway was in contact with one of the graft phones used to send out 'flare messages' advertising drug deals, the court heard, while a wrap of heroin bought by an undercover officer days after Greenway's arrest was found to have Greenway's DNA on it.

While he was only involved for two months, he played a "significant role" and had replaced a trusted lieutenant in the gang.

Greenway had previous convictions, but only one for drug possession, the rest being motoring offences.

Defending, Philip Tully said Greenway was addicted to cocaine at the time. When police searched his home on May 7, Greenway was found with white powder up his nose while 42g of class A drugs were seized at the address.

He expressed genuine remorse and Mr Tully said there was a "completely different side" to Greenway, who had lost his landscaping business as a result of his drug addiction.

He had played a lesser role than others in the drugs gang and this type of offending was "out of character" for him.

Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett said the drug addiction and offending had "undoubtedly" had a huge effect on Greenway's home life.

He had got himself involved in a "terrible enterprise" which caused nothing but "sheer misery".

Greenway was jailed for four and a half years.

The drugs, drug paraphernalia and mobile phones seized at his home on May 7 were to be forfeited and destroyed.