Drug dealer who confirmed hundreds of deals across Northern England jailed
A dealer who directed "100s of drug deals" through online group chats where couriers posted "thumbs up" emojis after each sale has been jailed.
Malachi Jamieson was exposed after courier William Offer was caught by police carrying out a drug sale from a Skoda in Jesmond, Newcastle, in March 2022.
Newcastle Crown Court heard when officers searched Offer and the car they found cocaine, MDMA, amphetamine, cannabis and ketamine.
Prosecutor Joe Culley said inquiries into the vehicle, which was a hire car, and items found inside it led them to Jamieson, who was carrying £950 in cash when police showed up.
Prosecutor Joe Cully told the court mobile phone examinations revealed conversations over the encrypted Signal app, where Jamieson was directing others in "100s of drugs deals" using group chats.
Mr Culley said couriers were operating in areas across the North East and added: "When each deal was complete they would make a thumbs up emoji acknowledging the deal."
The court heard the group chat showed Jamieson had been directing Offer to "multiple drug deals" on the day he was arrested.
Jamieson, 29, of Orme Close, Manchester, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis between January 2022 and March 2022 and possessing criminal property.
Offer, 30, of Highbury Park, London admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis and possessing cocaine, MDMA, amphetamine, cannabis and ketamine with intent to supply.
Mr Recorder David Gordon sentenced Jamieson, who has a conviction for earlier, similar offending, to four years behind bars and Offer to two years, suspended for two years, with 250 hours unpaid work.
The Recorder said drugs have a "profound and destructive affect on society" and added: "We see this every day in the crown court, these drugs fuel addiction, damage people's health, they lead to criminality of all sorts, they de-stabilise communities and put a strain on public services."
The court heard both men got involved in the offending through their own drug use and in the years that have passed since have built better lives and stayed out of trouble.
Christopher Knox, defending Jamieson, said: "He did have a drug problem and found himself in effect being brought into this operation."
Andrew Walker, defending, said Offer got involved through using drugs while he studied at university in the North East, had a limited role and added: "It allowed him to be around the drugs he was addicted to and have ready access to them."