TWO drug dealers who peddled heroin and crack cocaine on the streets of Warrington have been jailed.

David and James Jones were caught with hundreds of pounds worth of class A drugs when they were arrested in Latchford earlier this year.

Last week, the pair were each jailed for two-and-a-half years at Liverpool Crown Court.

The court heard that 26-year-old David Jones was driving his silver Ford Focus on Thelwall Lane at around 10.30am on Thursday, April 23, with 33-year-old James Jones as his passenger when they pulled over outside the Londis convenience store.

Warrington Guardian:

At that moment, the car was boxed in by police and both defendants were arrested.

In total, 24 wraps of heroin and 20 wraps of crack cocaine – drugs with an estimated combined street value of £460 – were found in the passengers' side footwell.

Convicted robber James Jones meanwhile had £700 in cash in the pocket of his tracksuit bottoms.

Warrington Guardian:

James Jones

It is believed that the Joneses, who are not related, were street dealers recruited by a Liverpool-based county lines operation.

The same vehicle had been seen in the Warrington area on several dates beforehand, with both men described as having their 'vulnerability exploited'.

They appeared in court via video link to HMP Altcourse having admitted possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and possession of criminal property during an earlier hearing.

Sentencing on Wednesday, June 24, judge Garrett Byrne said: "It is the prosecution's case that you were both involved jointly in dealing drugs across county lines.

"I'm not going to give anyone a lecture about the dangers of drugs.

"It seems to me that you both have insight into what those dangers are and the effects on people who are unlucky enough to be addicted to them.

"There's no doubt that your use of cannabis was a contributory factor."

The Joneses will be brought back for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing later this year, during which they could be ordered to pay back their ill-gotten gains.