An undercover police operation helped to bring down ‘Macca line’ drug dealers who inflicted “misery” through the supply of cocaine and heroin.
Operation Ground targeted a number of “graft phones” linked to the supply of cocaine and heroin in Wirral. Both Carl Mello, 35, of Cheapside, Liverpool, and Adrian Reed, 55, of Moel Gron, Mynydd, have been jailed for their part in the drug operation.
Prosecutor, Henry Riding, told the court that Reed had been "cooking crack cocaine" for the “Ford organised Crime Group”. Working alongside Mello, the pair were linked to ‘graft phones’ - phones which were used for the purposes of selling drugs - which were in operation from September 2021 to January 2022.
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Referred to as the “Macca Line”, the three separate numbers were used at different periods across four months and were referred to as Macca Line one, three and four in court. Macca Line one was in operation for the longest, with activity being logged from September 2021 to November 2021.
The phones would send out “flares” and “broadcasts” to between 12 and 48 contacts advertising the sale of drugs. The texts included phrases such as “Deveraux active, best about, Macca” and “best about as always, Macca”.
Deveraux was in reference to a property in the Wallasey area of Wirral, the court heard, with other messages saying “just knock” and “on with both” - referring to the sale of cocaine and heroin. The drug operation also provided a mobile service which was revealed through flare messages such as “on with both on mobile”.
An undercover police officer made a number of test purchases though the Macca line, on occasion being served by Reed himself. Mello would also be in control of the graft phone operation and was viewed as playing a more significant role in its organisation.
Defending, Lionel Grieg said Mello took “responsibility” for his part in the operation following the arrest. The court was told how Mello had relevant convictions involving drugs offences dating from 2001 to 2022, ranging from a category A drug offence in 2010 and a slew of category B offences.
Representing Reed, Chris Macmaster argued that his client played a “lesser role” in the drug operation and was a drug user with a “virulent habit” who also had previous drug offences. He said: “He was involved to fund his own habit not to self enrich.”
Mr Macmaster said that Reed had “well and truly fell off the wagon and was in a dangerous state", adding: “He was faced with a stark choice - persist with drug use or choose his life. He chose life, to quote a well known 1990s film.”
The court heard how Reed moved back to Wales in a bid to get himself drugs. It was in Wales where he was later arrested for his part in the Macca line.
Both Mello and Reed eventually pleaded guilty to the drug charges before trial. The charges were concerning class A drugs and to supply class A drugs
Hearing the case, Judge David Swinnerton said that “both played a significant role" in the dealing of drugs, however it was viewed that Mello’s was “more significant”. It was noted how Mello was a carer for his mother, something that would be more difficult should he be handed a prison sentence, but Judge Swinnerton simply said “that’s your fault.”
Addressing the two men appearing via video link, he added: “You caused considerable misery to other families, doing so for profit and money”.
Mello was sentenced to four and half years in prison with Reed being handed a three year jail sentence.
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