A manhunt has been launched for an on-the-run criminal who fled before being sentenced for his role in a Stoke-on-Trent drugs gang. Daniel Askey - who has a distinctive 'Joker' tattoo on his left arm - was part of the 'Scouse Chris' drugs line which moved heroin, cocaine and cannabis between Liverpool and North Staffordshire.
The 33-year-old, of Edge Street, Burslem, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drug heroin, conspiracy to supply class A drug cocaine, and possession of a bladed article. But he failed to turn up at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court last week.
Police are now actively looking for him. Askey has a Stoke-on-Trent accent and is around 6ft tall with a medium build and a pierced left ear.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "We’re looking for Daniel Askey, from Stoke-on-Trent, who is wanted on failing to appear offences following a class A drug supply conspiracy investigation. If you’ve seen him or you know where he could be, call us."
The manhunt comes after seven members of the notorious gang were jailed for a total of 37 years for their involvement in the drugs plot. Fifteen defendants - including nine men and one woman from North Staffordshire - were involved in the conspiracy to supply drugs across Stoke-on-Trent between August 1, 2019 and January 16, 2020.
The court heard the 'County Lines' operation involved drug users in the Potteries contacting the 'Scouse Chris' drugs line and ordering drugs. The line was operated from Liverpool and drugs were transported from Merseyside to Stoke-on-Trent.
A vehicle was stopped on August 30, 2019 and police recovered 10 grams of heroin and 10 grams of cocaine. Police identified 132 journeys made from Liverpool to Stoke-on-Trent during the conspiracy with Judge Graeme Smith estimating that at least one kilogram of class A drugs would have been brought to the Potteries during the five-and-a-half month period.
Sightings should be reported to Staffordshire Police on 101. To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
