SEVEN members of a lucrative organised crime gang based in Runcorn have now been handed Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs).

Six men and two women were convicted as part of Operation Winkled – an investigation launched by Cheshire Police into the large-scale supply of crack cocaine and heroin into the Murdishaw area of Runcorn over the course of 13 months.

All eight appeared at Chester Crown Court in April for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, and were jailed for more than 25 years.

Now, seven of those convicted appeared back before Chester Crown Court recently, where they were each handed a CBO.

The defendants are as follows:

  • Scott Doran, aged 36 and of HMP Altcourse – previously handed nine years in prison
  • Darren Garbe, aged 24 and of Fenton Green, Liverpool – four years in prison
  • David Keegan, aged 53 and of Nortonwood Lane, Runcorn – three years in prison
  • Marcus Pike, aged 23 and of HMP Altcourse – three years and four months in prison
  • Samantha Bushall, aged 37 and of HMP Styal – three years and nine months in prison
  • Stephen Redmond, aged 22 and of Talisman Close, Runcorn – three years and four months in prison
  • Zachery Rizzotti, aged 22 and of St Andrew Road, Liverpool – two years in prison suspended

Also sentenced in April but not handed a CBO was Michelle Bushall, aged 59 and of Mooring Close, who received a nine-month suspended prison term.

CBOs are preventative orders which are designed to stop persistent offenders from committing further anti-social behaviour and criminal offences.

Each of the defendants are now subject to strict 10-year CBOs which ban them from being in possession of more than one mobile phone and sim card.

They are also banned from being in the company of a number of named individuals on the order within Cheshire.

Doran and Garbe were also given an additional condition as part of their CBOs which prohibits them from entering the Murdishaw area of Runcorn.

If any of the defendants breach the conditions set out in their CBOs, they risk going to prison.

DI Alison White said: “Operation Winkled was launched as a result of the misery brought upon our town by Doran and his associates, whose offending has had a significant detrimental impact on members of the Runcorn community.

“Residents were made to feel unsafe in their homes and in their community due to this gang’s drug-related behaviour.

“The fear and intimidation made for a toxic environment for residents who were really suffering because of this.

“Since securing sentences for all those involved, our team has continued to work tirelessly over the past several months in order to compile enough evidence to ensure these criminals were brought before the courts and relieve residents of their toxic nightmare.

“No-one should be subjected to such behaviour, and we will use whatever powers we have at our disposal to ensure that Runcorn is a pleasant place to live, work and visit.

“I hope this reassures residents who may be going through the same issues that we are here to help you make your neighbourhood a happier and safer place.

“Please do not suffer in silence – get in touch.”

To help make Runcorn a safer place to live, spot the signs of county lines drug dealing and report it to Cheshire Police by calling 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.