AN Ellesmere Port drug dealer caught trying to sell crack cocaine and heroin near a primary school has been jailed for more than two years.

McKenzie Sadler appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday, November 4, where he was sentenced to 27 months.

The 20-year-old of Aldgate, Ellesmere Port, had earlier admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

The case began when, at around 2pm on Thursday, October 6, two plain clothed officers on patrol in the Schubert Close area of Ellesmere Port, spotted a number of known drug users congregating near an alleyway next to Brookside Primary School.

The group were then approached by Sadler who appeared to be selling drugs.

Officers quickly intercepted and detained Sadler at the scene. A search revealed that he was in possession of a bag containing wraps of crack cocaine and heroin along with almost £800 cash.

Sadler was arrested and taken to police custody for drugs offences. Analysis of the drugs seized gave them a street value of approximately £900.

Following his arrest, officers conducted searches at two addresses linked to Sadler in Ellesmere Port where they recovered number of items and a further £1,641.28 in cash.

Sadler was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Roy Wellings, of Ellesmere Port Pro-active team, said: “Thanks to the work of the two eagle-eyed officers a large quantity of drugs have been removed from the streets of Ellesmere Port and a dealer is now behind bars.

“This is an absolutely fantastic result and I hope it acts as a warning to others planning to deal drugs in Cheshire – you never know who’s watching.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Sadler was also ordered to forfeit the £2,440 cash seized by officers and pay £228 court costs.

Detective Constable Wellings added: “Illegal drugs can have a devastating impact, not only drug users, but also the community around them.

“Here in Ellesmere Port, we are doing all we can to stop drug activity on our streets to make the town a safer place to live and visit, while also making it extremely difficult for these offenders to operate.

“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 get in touch.”

You can report suspected drug dealing to Cheshire Constabulary online at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report, or by calling 101.

Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously .