Mr Tatlow said the drugs line ran from December 16, 2024 to April 16, 2025. Poole was seen on CCTV topping up a voucher for a phone used as the drugs line. The drugs line was with him on his arrest. A police expert said the drugs line sent out messages offering crack cocaine, cocaine and heroin in the Burslem area. Recorder Smith said: "Baggaley, with the assistance of Walton, ran the Chesney-Curly drugs line in the Stoke-on-Trent area between December 2024 and April 2025.

Source: Daily Mirror February 19, 2026 09:56 UTC