Ashcroft was found guilty at an earlier hearing of conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug (heroin) and conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug (crack cocaine). In 2022, detectives from Western Proactive CID were investigating drug dealing in Chester when they identified a mobile phone connected to the criminal activity. From the detectives enquiries they established that Ashcroft was playing a leading role and Delacruz had a significant role in a county lines group. DS Roy Wellings said: “These men played a significant role in County Lines drug dealing in Chester and our evidence clearly showed their connection to those who were dealing Class A drugs. “I hope this reassures residents that we are doing everything we can to deter criminal activity and disrupt the supply of illegal drugs.”