A drug dealer has been jailed following an investigation by Ellesmere Port Proactive Policing Team.

Mason Mallon appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday, May 3, where he was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine).

The 21-year-old of Wellington Close, Ellesmere Port also activated a suspended sentence of 18 months – taking his total sentence to three years and six months in prison.

The investigation into Mallon initially began in November 2023 when officers dealing with an unrelated case became aware of a mobile phone number that had been used to send bulk messages advertising the sale of illegal drugs – known as flare messages.

Officers tracked the number for several months, along with two other numbers which were also used by the same person.

Following enquiries officers recovered CCTV footage of Mallon purchasing credit for the phone at a local supermarket.

A warrant was conducted at his home address on Wellington Close, Ellesmere Port on Thursday, January 24, where officers seized several items, including several wraps of crack cocaine and several mobile phones.

Mallon was arrested at the scene and during questioning he declined to answer any question in relation to the drugs offences and claimed that he was in Deeside when the phone was topped up.

Despite his denial, he was subsequently charged in relation to the incident.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Stuart Wood, of the Ellesmere Port Proactive Policing Team, said: “I welcome the sentence handed to Mallon and I hope that his conviction sends out a warning to other dealers planning to target the Ellesmere Port area.

“Illegal drugs have a hugely detrimental impact on our communities, and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure that those involved in the supply of such drugs are held accountable.

“Throughout this investigation Mallon has attempted to evade justice, distancing himself from any involvement in illegal drug dealing. Thankfully, because of the evidence we were able to gather against him he had no option but to plead guilty to the charges against him.”

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 .