A Warrington man has been jailed after police caught him red-handed with cocaine during a major crackdown on crime. Ryan Sleigh, 34, of Bibby Avenue, was sentenced to 32 months in prison at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, 3 March. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
On 2 February 2026, Cheshire Police launched Operation Crossbow, a full-scale force effort involving armed units, drones, police dogs, motorbikes, and more. The operation aimed to hunt down wanted criminals and dismantle drug networks across Cheshire.
At 11am, officers spotted a grey Volkswagen Golf in Latchford, Warrington. An unidentified woman was seen leaning into the passenger window, raising suspicion of a hand-to-hand drug deal. After the exchange, police followed driver Ryan Sleigh.
Just 15 minutes later, officers stopped Sleigh as he attempted to enter a shop at Riverside Retail Park. A search of his car uncovered 25 snap bags of white powder, confirmed as cocaine, hidden in the centre console and door pockets. Police also seized £150 in cash.
A subsequent raid on Sleigh’s home revealed three mobile phones, additional snap bags, scales, and a notebook listing names of buyers and suppliers.
Sleigh declined to comment during police interview but later pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Detective Constable Andrew Dolan of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit said, “Ryan Sleigh really did choose the worst possible day to be out and about in Warrington making his deliveries. Following our intervention—and now his prison sentence—many customers will be going dry.”
He added, “The amount of Class A we seized and the detailed customer list show he was running a serious operation. He’ll now spend two and a half years behind bars to think about his life choices.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
