A heroin and crack cocaine dealer who offered "fat bags for 20" was caught out when he ordered a taxi.
Garry Earle was described as being a "trusted lieutenant" for the "Bevo Line", having been tasked with manning its graft phone. But he was rumbled when he used the same mobile to book a lift home.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday afternoon, Thursday, that a Merseyside Police investigation was set up to tackle the county lines operation, which trafficked drugs from Liverpool into the Runcorn area. Derek Jones, prosecuting, described how bulk flare messages - such as "on with both", "on till late" and "fat bags for 20" - were sent out to known users advertising illicit substances for sale.
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Enquiries found that the phone used to distribute these texts had offten been connected to a mast in the L6 area, located within a few metres of Earle's home on Manningham Road in Anfield. And at one stage, the device was used to book a taxi to this address.
The force raided the house on April 3 this year, with the 53-year-old being present with another drug addict at the time. The property "and the defendant's bedroom in particular" were described as being "in a mess and a poor state of repair", with Earle "looking unwell" and wearing dirty clothes.
Officers noted "evidence of bagging up" inside, while a small quantity of cannabis was seized. They also discovered the graft phone, which was "constantly ringing", and SIM cards matching numbers used by the Bevo Line.
Fifty-six missed calls weres recorded over the course of the morning following his arrest. Under interview, Earle - who has 37 previous convictions for 76 offences, including burglary and theft - told police he was a heroin and crack cocaine user but denied having been involved in the supply of said drugs.
Lionel Greig, defending, told the court his client had been using since the age of 14 and had "fallen into his old ways of substance misuse due to mental health issues". He added: "The defendant is not proud of his actions.
"He regrets what he did and his involvement. The defendant is before the court looking a lot better than he did when initially arrested, in a somewhat dishevelled state.
"It is regrettable that, as a consequence of his lifestyle, he finds himself in the position he is in. He is in a better place than he was."
Earle admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession of cannabis. He was jailed for three years with forfeiture of the drugs, paraphernalia and phone also ordered.
Sentencing, Judge David Hale said: "These county lines are pernicious organisations, distributing serious drugs to mainly young people who are stealing and run themselves into vast debts intent on satisfying there cravings. You are getting the orders and providing them to others to satisfy.
"You are trusted with the graft phone. You are not one of the ones in charge who don't like getting their hands dirty or putting themselves at risk, but you are playing a vital role.
"Of course, it is because you are an addict yourself at the time. They prey on you, it is a pernicious operation.
"You are playing a vital role as a trusted lieutenant in the operation of the phone. You are doing the best you can by dealing with your addiction.
"I can only wish you good fortune that you can put this behind you. I am sure your family and everyone who loves you wants you to be the lad you were, albeit a bit older."
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