A group of unemployed men ran a cannabis operation, amassing cash and drugs before being caught by police in Cheshire
Ellesmere Port: A gang of 16 guys just got hit with over 80 years in prison for running a huge cannabis operation. Cheshire Police busted them after a detailed investigation. They were sourcing tons of cannabis mainly from Manchester and Liverpool.
The drugs were distributed in Ellesmere Port and Chester from April 2023 to March 2024. Once they got the cannabis, they’d store it, prep it for sale, and then pass it on to middlemen who sold it further.
Cheshire Police’s serious and organized crime unit looked into this drug ring as part of Operation Heracles. They found a stash of cannabis and cash in storage units at Indigo Business Park, where the gang members were visiting almost daily.
During a raid on November 12, 2023, police found nearly £11,000 in cash and seized cannabis worth up to £59,000. This led to more raids on March 6, 2024, involving over 250 officers targeting gang members across the area.
Out of the 16 men, 13 were arrested and charged. They seized more drugs and cash, bringing the total to over £29,552 in cash and cannabis worth nearly £98,000. Three other guys were also charged later.
From January 13 to 15, 2025, all 16 appeared in Chester Crown Court. Some of them, like Kyle Phillips and Joshua Burns, were key players in the operation, dealing directly with suppliers and managing the distribution.
Others, like Ryan Neild and Gary Tushingham, played significant roles in collecting and distributing the drugs. Detective Chief Inspector Nick Henderson welcomed the sentences, emphasizing that these men, despite being unemployed, profited from their illegal activities.
He added that Operation Heracles shows their commitment to tackling organized crime and sends a clear message: if you think you can get away with drug offenses in Cheshire, think again.
