David Higgins, 30, and Daniel Barnett, 29, admitted being involved in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine in the Deeside area
Heroin and crack cocaine was being ferried into Deeside from Liverpool on an almost daily basis, a court heard today.
Two men were said to have taken over after a Queensferry dealer was arrested and jailed.
One of the men – David Higgins, 30, of Mill Lane, West Derby, Liverpool - was jailed for five and half years at Mold Crown Court this afternoon.
Co-defendant Daniel Barnett, 29, of New Chester Road, New Ferry, received four years and four months.
Both admitted being involved in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine between April 2015 and June 2016.
The court heard how another man, John Cutler, had been arrested and jailed for drugs supply offences.
Prosecuting barrister Caroline Harris alleged both defendants had been involved with Cutler before his imprisonment, and afterwards continued to supply drugs in the Deeside area to Cutler’s customers.
Text messages
A so-called “graft” phone had been recovered, which showed up to 80 messages had been sent out to people advertising when drugs were available.
In March of last year, Barnett was seen driving a Citroen Berlingo which was seen outside the home of Cutler’s former girlfriend.
Barnett was found hiding inside the property and some £800 in cash and 100 wraps of heroin and cocaine had been thrown out of the address.
It was alleged that Higgins had made almost daily trips from Merseyside to Deeside, staying for short periods of time.
About £45,000 was said to have gone through his two bank accounts – although he paid no income tax.
Judge Rhys Rowlands said it was clear on the evidence that Cutler had been ordering drugs from Higgins and handing money over to him.
Barnett later became involved after Cutler disappeared from the equation.
'A dangerous trade'
Both had chosen to become involved in a dangerous trade, and Higgins had recently been attacked and left with significant and unpleasant injuries, said the judge.
The court heard Higgins had been jailed for seven years in 2008 for robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.
Barnett had been jailed for four and half years in 2012 for drugs supply.
Desmond Lennon, for Higgins, handed in a medical report which confirmed the unpleasant and serious injuries he had suffered at the beginning of the year.
After his release from custody, his car valeting company had been struggling and, when a third party suggested he earn money by delivering drugs to North Wales, he succumbed – to his absolute regret.
Brendan Carville, for Barnett, said his client was not involved in the early stages and accepted that his previous similar conviction was an aggravating feature.
It was said on behalf of both that they would find custody difficult because they would be separated from their children.
Following the sentence, PC Gary Aldous of the priority crime team said: “We are pleased with these sentences.
“I hope the community of Deeside will see that North Wales Police will not tolerate the drugs trade in our area and we will bring dealers to justice.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/jail-dealers-who-ferried-drugs-12782771
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