A Knowsley drug dealer has been jailed for four and a half years following an investigation into County Lines drug dealing in North Wales.
Daniel Doyle, 21, appeared at Mold Crown Court today, Tuesday 18 July, after pleading guilty to supplying heroin and crack cocaine.
The sentencing follows a joint investigation with North Wales Police into a County Lines drug dealing operation under the name ‘Scouse Paul’.
A mobile number was found to be sending flare messages to drug users living in and around the Rhyl area of North Wales.
These text messages would advertise heroin and crack cocaine for sale in their area.
Doyle was linked to the County Line and he was arrested last month following a warrant carried out at a home in Rhyl.
At the time of Doyle’s arrest, he was on licence after he was convicted of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs in October 2022 and given a 24-month suspended sentence.
Detective Inspector Gary Stratton said, “This investigation involved working closely with North Wales Police to gather sufficient intelligence to execute a warrant to ultimately shut down the ‘Scouse Paul’ County Line.
“Doyle clearly did not learn from his conviction in October 2022 and he will now have time to think about his actions in prison.
“We have disrupted a chain of supply and taken a significant quantity of drugs off the streets and further afield, preventing them from damaging communities.
“Organised crime is hugely damaging to our communities, often involving intimidation, violence and creating fear and it is these criminals who run County Lines.
“Criminals involved in organised crime have no thought for anyone other than themselves, and their criminal intent and greed.
“Project Medusa is dedicated to cutting these County Lines dead and taking those who operate them off our streets and working with partners to help those who may be exploited by these gangs.”
Read more here about how to spot the signs of exploitation linked to drug dealing and the Eyes Open campaign, introduced by Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership: www.eyes-open.co.uk 
You can also report any concerns to police on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or via Twitter @MerPolCC.
You can also pass information via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org
Image: Merseyside Police/Daniel Doyle
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