Winsford man sentenced for dealing cocaine and ketamine
Charlie Joyce was caught after CCTV showed him buying a top-up card for a dealer phone
A man from Winsford has been sentenced after pleading guilty to being involved in the supply of class A and B drugs.
Charlie Joyce appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 2nd October, where he was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work and handed a community order.
He was also ordered to pay a £114 fine, and to surrender his mobile phone and £305 in cash.
The 19-year-old, of Beeston Drive, Winsford, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs, and two counts of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.
The investigation began in early 2025, when officers became aware of a mobile phone number being used to sell cocaine and ketamine in the Winsford area, Cheshire Police said.
The number was not registered to anyone, but following enquiries, officers recovered CCTV footage from a shop on Cheviot Square showing Joyce purchasing a top-up card for the device.
Following the discovery, a warrant was carried out at Joyce's home on Friday 27th June 2025, where he was arrested.
Two mobile phones were recovered from his bedroom, along with a quantity of cash.
Officers also discovered £70 worth of ketamine and £755 worth of cocaine, all packaged for onward sale.
Joyce replied "no comment" to all questions put to him by officers during questioning.
Despite his silence, he was later charged with drugs offences.
Detective Constable Chris Forrest, of Northwich Proactive CID, said "illegal drugs have a hugely detrimental impact on our communities, and we're committed to doing all we can to ensure all those responsible are held accountable".
"In this case, the messages recovered from Joyce's phone, along with the drugs seized from his home, proved overwhelmingly that he was actively involved in the sale of cocaine and ketamine, and left him with no option but to admit his guilt," DC Forrest said.
"Our fight against illegal drugs remains ongoing, and I urge anyone with any information in relation to the supply of drugs to get in touch," he said.