A Heinz factory worker who "took too many drugs" and turned to dealing heroin and crack cocaine has been jailed for three years after police uncovered his illicit county lines operation. Cory Liptrot, 22, from Wigan, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possessing ammunition without a certificate.
From Legitimate Work to Criminal Enterprise
Cory Liptrot had maintained several legitimate jobs before his arrest, working part-time as a tree surgeon, in waste management, and at the Heinz factory. However, the court heard how he "fell into the wrong crowd" through drug use, transitioning from what he described as a "weekend user" of cocaine to becoming a supplier of heroin and crack cocaine.
Sophisticated Drug Operation Uncovered
Merseyside Police identified Liptrot as the "controller" of a county lines drug supply operation during their investigation. Officers executed a search warrant at his grandmother's home, where he lived, and discovered crucial evidence of his criminal activities.
During the search, police found two Nokia mobile phones that had been used to send "bulk texts" advertising drugs for sale. Prosecuting barrister Gerry Baxter revealed that one of these devices alone had sent 7,074 messages during September and October of 2025, targeting what Judge Stuart Driver KC described as "a broad base of potential customers."
Bullet Discovery and False Claims
In a rucksack at the property, officers discovered a bullet inside a jar. Liptrot initially claimed the ammunition was a "replica," but forensic examination proved it to be a S&B branded 9mm round associated with self-loading pistols. Although the bullet was in "poor condition," it was successfully test fired.
Mr Baxter noted during proceedings: "There is no evidence that the defendant was intending to use it. It is difficult to say that there could be such an intention when there was no weapon present."
Difficult Background and Mental Health Struggles
Defence barrister Charles Lander presented mitigating circumstances to the court, highlighting Liptrot's challenging upbringing and mental health issues. "He has clearly had a difficult and deprived background," Mr Lander explained, "effectively being abandoned by his parents and brought up by his grandmother."
The court heard that Liptrot's uncle, who also lived with them, had committed suicide approximately a year before the arrest. The defendant had left school at age 16 and had worked legitimately until his involvement with drugs escalated.
"He clearly took too many drugs," Mr Lander stated. "He was suffering from psychosis. He believes that he may have issues with ADHD and autism."
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
Despite the mitigation presented, Judge Stuart Driver KC emphasized the seriousness of Liptrot's crimes during sentencing. "You were selling the drugs to make profit for yourself," the judge stated. "There is a serious aggravating feature. You were running or operating a county lines business."
The judge acknowledged the operation's sophistication, particularly noting the use of technology to send thousands of promotional messages to potential customers. However, he also recognized that Liptrot was not addicted to the drugs he was selling, describing him instead as a "weekend user" whose consumption may have impacted his mental health.
Liptrot was arrested on January 31, 2026, at his partner's home. During police interviews, he maintained that the bullet was a replica and claimed that white powder discovered during the search was creatine rather than drugs.
The 22-year-old, who had no previous convictions, received a three-year prison sentence for his role in the county lines drug supply operation and ammunition possession. The case highlights the complex intersection of legitimate employment, personal struggles, and criminal activity that can lead young people into serious offending.
