A cocky drug boss, who brazenly showed off his ‘diamond teeth’, solid gold chain and wads of cash as he advertised cocaine and cannabis for sale on social media, has received a hefty prison sentence, as the rest of his gang were collectively jailed for a total of 46 years.
Damon Greenslade, who operated the ‘Dmo’ line, which flooded the streets of Cheshire with cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and other illicit substances, had the name of the line tattooed on himself, as well the phrase ‘can’t stop, won’t stop’.
He recruited juveniles into his gang to act as street dealers, threatening and using violence to control them.
Greenslade would be supplied with large amounts of drugs, which he was responsible for distributing, with the help of a large network of street-level dealers and couriers out on delivery.
Even when police were closing in on him and he had been arrested twice and bailed in connection with the investigation, Greenslade changed his address and continued to operate the major drugs line.
But his empire finally came crashing down when he was detained last August alongside 12 others in the organised crime group, who have now been sentenced to a total of more than 46 years.
A court heard how the ‘Dmo’ drug line offered special discounts, treasure hunts and ‘complimentary’ cannabis joints as a shameless marketing ploy to customers.
They would send flare messages and used social media to advertise the sale of drugs and even had bespoke items adorned with the brand name, such as lighters.
Between March 21, 2020 and June 21, 2023, the drugs line operated within Congleton in Cheshire and surrounding areas, a court heard.
Associates Patrick Bruce and Daniel Greenslade were responsible for supplying Damon Greenslade with the bulk amount of drugs.
He was then responsible for the large-scale supply and distribution of cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and THC edibles in the area and surrounding towns.
The drugs were sourced from beyond county lines, often with junior members of the gang being sent to collect the drugs and return them to several market towns within Cheshire.
Next in command to Damon Greenslade were Lewis Charlesworth, Reece Evans and Jason Acton, who each controlled street-level dealers.
These included Kane Smith, Nathan Edge, Bradley Dale and Ethan Taylor, a court was told.
Dillon Sweeney was a courier, delivering and collecting drugs and money on behalf of Damon Greenslade.
Sutton acted as a middleman between Patrick Bruce and Damon Greenslade, as well as being responsible for drug supply in Alderley Edge.
Tyler Meadows assisted in the storage and exchange of significant quantities of drugs and cash.
Operation Chekov was launched by Cheshire Police as a proactive investigation into the group.
Officers compiled extensive evidence of a phone number attribute to the ‘Dmo’ line which was sending messages relating to drugs supply.
During the investigation, large amounts of cannabis, cocaine, and other illicit drugs with a combined estimated street value of up to £81,008 were seized.
Police also recovered a total of £41,433.73 in cash, as well as other high value items such as jewellery, vehicles and designer goods.
The gang is believed to have supplied up to 333kg of cannabis, and between 8kg and 9kg of cocaine, Cheshire Police said.
In January 2021, Evans and Smith were arrested in Congleton for drugs supply offences.
The home address of Damon Greenslade was also searched in January 2021 but despite this, the drugs line remained active, with him becoming paranoid about police.
He had changed his address and was constantly reporting on the movements of drones and police vehicles.
In January 2022, police executed four raids in Congleton and Macclesfield, targeting Damon Greenslade, Charlesworth, and Evans.
A mobile phone was seized from the bedroom of Damon Greenslade, which was confirmed to be the graft phone in control of the ‘Dmo’ drug line.
The remainder of the suspects were then identified as gang members following the forensic download of the mobile phone.
In June 2023, a strike day was conducted targeting addresses in Cheshire and Greater Manchester. During the strike action, almost all of the gang members were arrested, and cash and drugs were seized.
Tyler Meadows was arrested for her involvement on July 31, 2023.
Members of the organised crime group have now been sentenced to a combined 46 years for their involvement.
A total of 13 individuals appeared at Chester Crown Court between Wednesday, April 30 and Friday, May 2 for their role in the conspiracy.
Damon Greenslade, 33, of Congleton, Cheshire, who was also charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, was handed 16 years and four months.
Daniel Greenslade, 34, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, was given 10 years and three months, while Reece Evans, 23, of Congleton, Cheshire, was jailed for seven years.
Jed Sutton, 26, of Alderley Edge, Cheshire, was given six years, Lewis Charlesworth, 20, of Congleton Cheshire, who was also charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, was jailed for four years and six months, and Kane Smith, 22, of Congleton, Cheshire, was handed a 16-month sentence suspended for 18 months.
Tyler Meadows, 23, of Congleton, Cheshire, was given 21 months, suspended for two years.
Jason Acton, 23, of Congleton, Cheshire and Nathan Edge, 21, of Congleton, Cheshire – who was also charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs – were both handed a two-year Community Order.
Meanwhile Patrick Bruce, 41, of Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, was jailed for three years and 10 months for conspiracy to supply class B drugs.
He was imprisoned alongside Dillon Sweeney, 29, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, who was also charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, for 18 months, which was suspended for 18 months.
Bradley Dale, 20, of Congleton, Cheshire, who was also charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, was given a 12-month Community Order.
Ethan Taylor, 20, of Congleton Cheshire, who was also charged with producing class B and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, was given a 12-month Community Order.
Detective Constable Sam Needham of Cheshire Police said: ‘This has been a lengthy and complex investigation into a group of people intent on bringing illegal substances into Cheshire.
‘These individuals thought they could reap the benefits of their criminal activity, purchasing high value items such as jewellery, vehicles, and designer goods, but this case demonstrates that crime really does not pay.
‘Not only have they had a large amount of items and cash seized from them, but the leading members of the drugs conspiracy have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 46 years.
‘This reflects the severity of drug-related crimes and the misery it causes to not just drug users, but entire communities.
‘Damon Greenslade, who controlled the Dmo drugs line, specifically sought out and exploited juveniles into the ranks of the crime group, threatening and using violence to maintain control over those younger members, no doubt promising them rewards in return for their work.
‘However, Damon Greenslade – who bragged ‘can’t stop, won’t stop’ and even had the phrase tattooed on himself along with the name of the drugs line – now has 16 years in prison to contemplate his actions and be reminded of his corrupt decisions..
‘I hope the severity of the sentence handed down to Damon Greenslade in particular serves as a warning to those involved in similar criminality that this activity will not be tolerated in Cheshire.
‘While this investigation has made sure a significant quantity of drugs has been taken off the streets, we will continue to fight against such behaviour and ensure those who are intent on fuelling such activity are brought before the courts.’