South Cumbria Dealers Caught After Police Stop on Abbey Road
Two young South Cumbria men have been sentenced after police uncovered ketamine, cash and evidence of drug dealing following a stop in Barrow.
Luis Richardson, of Rusland Drive, Dalton, was stopped by police on Abbey Road on August 7, 2023. Passenger Ashton Cleece, of Lawrence Avenue, Barrow, was also in the vehicle.
The court heard an officer believed Richardson was under the influence of something and could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle.
Cleece handed over two cannabis grinders before running away. He was later stopped on Duke Street after discarding three bags of white powder. The substance was later found to be 34.7 grams of ketamine.
Further searches uncovered more ketamine in the vehicle, split into separate snapbags.
Drugs Found in Vehicle
Prosecutor Cecilia Pritchard told the court that 27.9 grams and 11.9 grams of ketamine were also found in the vehicle.
The ketamine had been divided into separate snapbags.
The court heard the street value of the ketamine was estimated at between £830 and £1,480 if sold in individual deals.
Richardson’s iPhone was also seized. It revealed evidence of dealing cannabis, cocaine and ketamine directly to users.
Messages showed he had travelled to local towns to supply drugs. There was also evidence he had sourced alternatives from Manchester.
Cash and Paraphernalia Found
Police later searched Richardson’s home address in Dalton.
Officers found £14,190 in cash kept inside a metal tin. They also found two balaclavas, a stab vest and a BB gun.
At Cleece’s home address in Barrow, officers found further drug paraphernalia. This included a wooden mallet kept in a drawer.
Both defendants had no previous convictions.
Charges Admitted
Richardson pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class B ketamine between July 21, 2023, and August 6, 2023.
He also admitted being concerned in the supply of Class A cocaine between July 21, 2023, and July 31, 2023.
He further pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class B ketamine on August 7, 2023.
The court heard Richardson, now 20, was 17 at the time of the offending.
Cleece, now 20, admitted one offence of possession with intent to supply Class B ketamine on August 7, 2023.
Prosecutors said Richardson had a significant role and a management function. They said there was an expectation of significant financial gain and an understanding of the drug supply operation.
Cleece was said to have played a lesser role.
Defence Mitigation
Defence barrister Louise Watson, representing Richardson, said he had offended for money.
She told the court he had been training as a mortgage adviser at the time but lost that opportunity after his guilty pleas.
She said Richardson had since tried to rebuild his life and was now working full-time on a building site. His future aim was to save enough money to work offshore.
The court heard Richardson had co-operated with police and gave officers the PIN for his phone during interview.
Ms Watson said he had used cannabis from the age of 14 and that it had made him feel lazy and depressed.
She said he had been drug-free for a year and had shown signs of maturity since the offences.
Representing Cleece, barrister Adam Quine said his client had only just turned 18 at the time of the offending.
He said Cleece still lived with his family and wanted to gain qualifications to work offshore.
Mr Quine said Cleece felt “extremely terrible” about the impact of dealing the drug and the effect on his father’s business.
Sentences Given
Recorder Emma Fisher sentenced Richardson to 14 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He must also complete 240 hours of unpaid work.
Cleece was given an 18-month community order. He must complete 80 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
The court also heard applications were made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and paraphernalia.
Confiscation of the cash was also sought.
Case Highlights Local Drug Supply Concerns
The case shows how a routine police stop can uncover wider evidence of drug supply.
What began with concerns over cannabis smell and Richardson’s condition led to the discovery of ketamine, cash and mobile phone evidence.
The court heard the dealing involved direct supply to users, travel to local towns and links to drug sourcing outside the area.
Although both men avoided immediate prison, Richardson was given a suspended jail sentence and both defendants were ordered to carry out unpaid work.
The case adds to wider concern about the supply of Class A and Class B drugs across Barrow, Dalton and surrounding South Cumbria communities.
