A self-assured ringleader behind a major drugs network in Cheshire has been jailed for more than 16 years, after openly flaunting his perceived invincibility and orchestrating a sophisticated operation that ensnared youngsters and flooded local areas with illegal substances. Damon Greenslade, known as the orchestrator of the notorious ‘DMO’ line, documented his lavish lifestyle on social media, showcasing “diamond teeth”, gold jewellery, and bundles of cash, seemingly convinced that he was beyond reach. In a display of bravado, he even had the gang’s name “DMO” and the slogan “can’t stop, won’t stop” permanently inked on his body.
Greenslade’s criminal enterprise, however, ultimately caught up with him. Despite previous arrests and warnings, he continued to direct operations, moving addresses to evade detection and maintaining a grip on his associates through intimidation and force. His complex network enlisted teenagers into the ranks, promising material gain but enforcing discipline through threats and violence. The resilient efforts of Cheshire Police laid bare the true scale of his criminality, leading to his downfall and the conviction of twelve others associated with the gang.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Chekov by police, meticulously traced the activities of the group over a three-year period, beginning in March 2020 and culminating in June 2023. Evidence presented at Chester Crown Court revealed that Greenslade’s syndicate had sourced and supplied vast amounts of drugs, including cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, and THC edibles, to Congleton and surrounding areas. Prosecutors detailed how junior members acted as couriers, transporting drugs and proceeds between market towns.
Central figures Patrick Bruce and Daniel Greenslade played pivotal roles in supplying Damon with bulk quantities of drugs. From there, Damon masterminded a wide-reaching distribution scheme. His close lieutenants—Lewis Charlesworth, Reece Evans, and Jason Acton—each coordinated teams of street-level dealers, passing on orders and controlling local segments of the trade. Other group members, including Dillon Sweeney, Jed Sutton, and Tyler Meadows, contributed as couriers, middlemen, and handlers of illicit goods and money.
Innovative, if brazen, marketing strategies became a feature of the ‘DMO’ line’s operations. The gang used bulk messaging and social media to promote “special offers”, host treasure-hunt style events, and hand out complimentary cannabis joints to entice new customers. Branded lighters and paraphernalia further cemented the group’s identity, with the gang’s mobile “graft” phone serving as the control hub for transactions and logistics.
Law enforcement’s determined investigation bore fruit in several key raids, beginning in January 2021 when two gang members were detained in Congleton. Subsequent searches seized substantial quantities of drugs and cash, with officers recovering more than £41,000 in cash and stashes of jewellery, designer goods, and high-value vehicles. Forensic analysis of Greenslade’s mobile phone revealed detailed evidence of the gang’s activities and hierarchy, allowing police to identify the full network of individuals involved.
Despite intensified police pressure, Greenslade exhibited increasing paranoia, frequently relocating and monitoring law enforcement movements. However, the net tightened in June 2023, when coordinated arrests across Cheshire and Greater Manchester brought the majority of the gang into custody. The operation is thought to have supplied up to 333kg of cannabis and between 8 and 9kg of cocaine during its reign, according to Cheshire Police figures.
The final blow was struck in spring 2024, as thirteen defendants—now stripped of their former bravado—stood before Chester Crown Court and were handed sentences totalling more than 46 years. Greenslade’s personal tally of 16 years underscores the court’s intent to punish and deter such activities in the region.
Detective Constable Sam Needham, reflecting on the operation’s outcome, stated: “These individuals believed they could profit from criminality, buying expensive valuables at the expense of local communities. Greenslade in particular sought out and exploited young people, using them to further his enterprise and threatening violence for compliance. His lengthy prison term serves as a potent warning that these crimes will not be tolerated in Cheshire.”
The investigation’s findings highlight both the destructive influence of drugs gangs on local communities and the critical vigilance required to dismantle such operations. As Greenslade begins his prison sentence, the message from police and the courts is clear: no-one is above the law, no matter how untouchable they believe themselves to be.