A county lines drug dealer has been jailed after returning to a house in Ellesmere Port to find police already inside. Joseph Barker, 21, from Skelmersdale, regularly travelled to Cheshire to deal drugs in the town.
Police find drugs and weapons at cuckooed property
An investigation into drug dealing in Ellesmere Port began in September 2026 after officers received intelligence that the home of a vulnerable resident had been ‘cuckooed’ and was being used as a base by a county lines dealer. On September 7, officers visited the house and, receiving no answer to their knocks, entered to check the occupant was safe.
Inside, they found a vast array of drugs paraphernalia and weapons, along with a quantity of heroin and crack cocaine. While police were inside, Barker arrived, and officers heard him open the door and begin to come in. Spotting police, he fled but was quickly apprehended.
Phone swallowed during arrest
Barker was found in possession of £465 cash, keys to the Ellesmere Port address and a personal mobile phone. He was also seen swallowing a small mobile phone, which was later recovered. Forensic analysis of that device revealed a number of flare messages advertising the sale of crack cocaine and heroin in the Ellesmere Port area.
Analysis of his personal mobile showed he was regularly travelling between Ellesmere Port and Merseyside, where he is likely to have collected the illegal drugs. Barker remained silent throughout his police interview and refused legal advice.
Sentenced at Chester Crown Court
Despite his silence, he was charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and two counts of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin. Barker, of Edgerton, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale, pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
He appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 7 September, where he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
