Emmerdale aired another harrowing instalment of April Windsor’s County Lines drug dealing storyline

Emmerdale fans are certain Celia Daniels is being manipulated by a recognisable villain as her drugs scheme takes an increasingly sinister direction.

Viewers of the ITV programme are aware that April Windsor, portrayed by Amelia Flanagan, is currently embroiled in a County Lines drug trafficking plot after being manipulated into dealing by Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and his mother Celia (Jaye Griffiths).

During Friday’s episode (October 17), a frightening situation unfolded when April prepared for an appointment that Ray had arranged between her and a customer called Tim to hand over narcotics at a hotel.

Whilst escorting April to the venue, calculating Ray cautioned her that Tim would anticipate her remaining in his hotel room following the drug handover. He told April: “I need this to go right, kid, reputation is everything.”

The teenage April reached Tim’s hotel room and delivered a package containing cocaine. He attempted to engage the schoolgirl in casual conversation whilst she appeared petrified and desperate to escape, reports Belfast Live.

However, Tim urged April to remain with him briefly, and it quickly became apparent that the criminal had far more than a simple drug transaction in mind.

He subsequently attempted to coerce April into sampling some of the substances alongside him, and when she refused, Tim suggested it would get her “in the mood”.

As the unsettling Tim moved to sit beside a terrified April on the bed, he described her as “pretty” and stroked her hair, commenting: “Carrying a lot of tension in those shoulders though, love.”

Following Tim’s attempt to massage April’s neck, she informed him she’d had second thoughts about taking drugs, prompting him to rise and fetch them. She then fled the scene before subsequently encountering Celia.

The drug kingpin explained that April must comply with her demands to settle her substantial debt after misplacing Ray’s narcotics, which forms part of a cunning plan to recruit April into her illegal operation.

Meanwhile, Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley) confided in her partner Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) regarding her own harrowing history. She disclosed how she was manipulated into a world of narcotics and sexual abuse.

Making striking comparisons to April’s present situation, Dawn shared her previous ordeals and emphasised her steadfast dedication to safeguarding her daughter, Clemmie (Mabel Addison).

Joe initially showed reluctance to learn about Dawn’s distressing background, but subsequently assured his partner that he “loved her”.

Nevertheless, Emmerdale viewers are convinced Joe is the leader of the drug operation managed by Celia, given his previous involvement of the local farmer in one of his fraudulent schemes.

The entrepreneur has also been open about his fortune and recently proposed financing Clemmie’s independent schooling, totalling £20,000 each term.

Writing on Facebook, one fan posted: “As Joe was controlling Celia, not so long ago, who else thinks he might be the mastermind behind the drugs ring?”

Another person responded: “That would not surprise me one bit he has no scruples ..And he has to get his money from somewhere.”

Another viewer speculated: “Absolutely and I think that will be the thing that ends him and Dawn. Her battle with drugs and it being around the kids x.”

A third chimed in: “Yes, maybe that’s why Joe doesn’t want to know dawns past.”

“Nothing surprises me about him”, one viewer exclaimed, while another added: “Ooooo yeah.”

Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX