A COUPLE have been jailed for more than six years combined after a county lines drugs bust revealed they were dealing heroin and cocaine in a Cheshire town.

Stephanie McGuire and Michael Abbey appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday, after they pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

The couple, of Secker Avenue, Warrington, were investigated in January after officers discovered that the ‘Manc J’ county line was operating in the town.

The court heard that the gang would send out flare messages on a daily basis, signalling the sale of heroin and crack cocaine.

Offers then used telecoms enquiries to identify Abbey, 39, and McGuire, 36, were the controllers of the line.

On March 21, a warrant was executed at their home in Latchford, where officers recovered four mobile phones and a diary containing contact details.

Analysis of the devices revealed messages which proved the couple had been dealing drugs.

At the hearing today, judge Simon Berkson sentenced McGuire to 40 months in prison, while Abbey was locked up for 33 months.

“I welcome the sentences handed to Abbey and McGuire, and I hope that their conviction sends out a warning to other dealers planning to target the Warrington area,” said DI Rob Balfour, of Cheshire Police.

“Illegal drugs can have a devastating impact, not only to drug users, but also the community around them.

“Here in Warrington, 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 gangs to operate.

“We will always act on any information about drug activity provided to us, and we would urge anyone who believes this activity is happening near to them to get in touch.”

You can report suspected drug dealing to Cheshire Police directly by calling 101 or giving the details online via cheshire.police.uk/to/report

Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.