A Wirral man has been jailed for more than four years in prison following an investigation into ‘Scouse Macca’ County Line drug dealing.
Rhys Downy, 21 years, of Rock Ferry appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Monday 21 August, where he was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for drug dealing in North Wales.
At an earlier hearing, he pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply of Class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin, acquire/use/possess criminal property, possession of a controlled Class B drug, cannabis/cannabis resin.
Under Operation Toxic, officers from Merseyside Police were investigating what drug dealers referred to as the ‘Scouse Macca Line’ which operated in the Deeside area.
On 24 November 2022, officers executed warrants at two addresses in Wirral – one which was Downy’s property as he was previously arrested in Deeside which linked him to the Scouse Macca Line.
During the search of Downy’s home, officers recovered items associated with the Scouse Macca Line drug deals. They also found £1,500 in cash from the two raids.
Operation Toxic is part of Project Medusa – a Merseyside-led initiative set up to tackle County Lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation across the country.
Detective Inspector Gary Stratton said, “Downy played a significant role in the Scouse Macca Line where he peddled drugs on the streets of Deeside. As a result, we are pleased that this investigation has disrupted the chain of supply and taken a significant quantity of drugs off the streets and further afield.
“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: Rhys Downy/Merseyside Police
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