A DRUG dealer arrested during the Operation Crackdown dawn raids has been jailed for 21 months.

Johnathan Waring, of Brookvale, Widnes, was one of 20 suspected drug dealers arrested during the operation, which was the largest carried out in Cheshire Police history.

It targeted heroin and cocaine dealers who were working in Runcorn, Widnes and Warrington.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to 10 charges of supplying class A drugs and was sentenced at Warrington Crown Court on Friday, August 11.

Speaking after the sentencing, DCI Martin Cleworth said: "The prompt sentencing of Waring should serve as a warning to others who may be involved in supplying drugs on the street."

The arrests were made after months of intelligence was collected by officers along with information from the local community.

A further five men from Widnes and Runcorn face court for supplying drugs as a result of the Operation Crackdown raids, which took place on Wednesday, July 12.

The court heard that Waring had only recently started to deal in drugs to help him to pay off a debt.

Anyone with information about drugs can contact Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000 or, alternatively, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.