EIGHT men have appeared in Chester Magistrates Court, charged in connection with a conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Ellesmere Port men James Webb, 30, of Raby Court, Joe Bowen, 30, of Wavertree Court and Tom Riley, 29, of Princes Road, appeared on Wednesday, May 12 in the magistrates court.

James Patrick Monaghan, 27, of Ruabon Road, Wrexham, Martin Clibery, 37, of Sutton Way, Ellesmere Port, Anthony Evans, 49, of Green Lane, Liverpool, Jan-Peter Wharton, 48, of Green Lane, Liverpool and Macauley Smith, 24, of HMP Berwyn, Wrexham, appeared on Thursday, May 13 in the magistrates court.

The men were all charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, and all but Riley charged with conspiracy to supply diamorphine (heroin).

evans was also charged with possession with intent to supply a class A drug (heroin and crack cocaine).

Prosecuting on Thursday, Adam Till told magistrates the case was too serious to be dealt with by them and the defendants should be committed to the crown court.

Magistrates agreed and all eight defendants are due to appear at Chester Crown Court next month.

Webb, Bowen and Riley will appear on Wednesday, June 9, while Monaghan, Clibery, Evans, Wharton and Smith are to appear on Thursday, June 10.

All defendants were remanded in custody with the exception of Wharton, who was bailed on condition he reports to Ellesmere Port Police Station several times a week.

A 47-year-old woman from Liverpool, arrested in connection with the conspiracy, was released under investigation pending further enquiries.