Young men jailed for dealing class A drugs in Warrington

Cian Pickett and Isaac Darcy, 19 and 20, were arrested twice in just two weeks for supplying crack cocaine and heroin on the streets of Warrington.

The duo appeared before Liverpool Crown Court today, Tuesday, for sentencing after both pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin at an earlier hearing.

Pickett also pleaded guilty to an additional charge of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.

Prosecuting, Christopher Hopkins said that the boys were first arrested on February 2.

Miss Stuart said how plain-clothed police officers were on patrol in the Sankey Bridges area when they spotted a man, which turned out to be Pickett, on a mountain bike dealing drugs.

Officers then saw Pickett, of Dale Lane, Appleton, enter an address on Broadhurst Avenue.

Cian Pickett (Image: Cheshire Police)

He left the address shortly after where he was searched and was found to be in possession of one wrap of crack cocaine, two wraps of heroin, and cash.

Officers then entered the address to conduct a search where Darcy, of Six Acre Gardens, Moore, and two other men were fleeing from the rear.

But Darcy was caught by police and was arrested at the scene.

Mr Hopkins said that following a search of the property, officers recovered 13g of crack cocaine, more than 6g of heroin, a Nokia graft phone, and other drug paraphernalia.

Messages discovered on the phone showed that Pickett and Darcy had been actively dealing drugs at county lines level in the Warrington area.

Due to it being both of the defendants first drug-related arrests, they were released on bail.

But they were further arrested on February 16 after they were stopped and searched on Old Liverpool Road by plain-clothed police officers.

Mr Hopkins said that here, Pickett was found to be in possession of 28 wraps of crack cocaine and 23 wraps of heroin and Darcy was found to be in possession of 27g of heroin.

They have been remanded in custody since this date.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Darcy has six convictions for nine offences, including possession of a knife and criminal damage, while Pickett has three convictions for four offences, including assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a knife.

Defending Darcy, Carmel Wilde said: “For a 20-year-old man, he does not have an attractive antecedent history.”

Isaac Darcy (Image: Cheshire Police)

She said how her client was excessively smoking crack cocaine at the time and that he felt the safety of his family was under threat and he was supplying the drugs to fund his own habits and to pay off debts.

She said how her client is a ‘vulnerable individual’ and that he has a number of medical conditions, including ADHD.

Defending Pickett, Steve Nikolich said how his client felt he had ‘no choice but to try and settle his drug debt’.

Mr Nikolich said that Pickett became involved for financial gain.

The court heard how Pickett spent the money he earned on an electric scooter and food and told the Probation Service how he was ‘sick of not having nice things’.

Mr Nikolich said how his client also has a number of medical conditions, including ADHD.

Darcy received four years and three months in youth detention while Pickett was handed a four-year sentence.

'Illegal drugs can have devastating impact'

Following their sentencing, detective sergeant Alexander Reeves, of Warrington Proactive Policing Team, said: “Warrington Proactive CID and our colleagues actively target county lines drug suppliers and as a result of this specific operation two county lines dealers are behind bars.

“This is a good result and I hope it acts as a warning to others planning to deal drugs in Warrington that we will always take robust action.

“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 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.”