Men jailed over drug dealing in Macclesfield

They've been jailed for over 11 years

Author: Adam FawcettPublished 15th May 2024

Three men have been jailed after admitting dealing drugs in Macclesfield, and the surrounding areas.

It's after detectives carried out an investigation into county lines teams, supplying cocaine and heroine - known as the 'AJ line'.

Nico Edgar, Andrew Cartlidge and Gavin Radcliffe all appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 10 May where they were sentenced.

Enquiries established that Edgar was the controller of the AJ line and was regularly advertising the sale of Class A drugs.

They traced Edgar to an address in Nether Peover and observed transactions taking place outside the house.

A warrant was carried out on Thursday 27 July at the home of Edgar and his partner. Edgar tried to escape by jumping out of a first-floor bedroom window naked and running off down the street.

Officers found him moments later hiding in the driveway of a neighbouring property behind a parked car and he was arrested.

A search of the address recovered a quantity of Class A drugs, cash and two graft phones.

DC Daniella Jervis, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "The investigation led officers to conclude Edgar was in a leading role in the AJ county lines team, while Cartledge had a significant role dealing drugs on behalf of Edgar, and Radcliffe was believed to be the courier.

“It was clear during our investigation that the AJ gang were key players in the supply of illegal drugs in the Macclesfield area and I welcome the sentences that have been handed to them.

“This case is just one of many investigations we continue to carry out to cauterize the county lines network and starve the supply of drugs to Macclesfield and across the county.

“We are relentless in our pursuit to rid Cheshire of illegal drug activity and will continue to investigate, and bring to justice, those intent on causing misery in our communities through peddling harmful illegal drugs.”

Edgar, 25, of Tipton Drive, Manchester, was sentenced to nine years in prison; Cartlidge, 40, of no fixed abode, was jailed for two years and six months; and Radcliffe, 43, of Devon Close, Macclesfield was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 2 years.

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