A drug dealer who bombarded vulnerable addicts with thousands of text messages over three months has been jailed. Greater Manchester Police said Christopher Clarke controlled a 'graft' mobile phone and used it to send out almost 7,000 messages over the period advertising the sale of cocaine.
Examples included 'trigazon prime deliveries on time' and 'on til late, get on me', detectives revealed as Clarke begins a prison sentence.
So-called 'graft' phones are typically the main point of contact between dealers and users, with multiple 'flare' text messages sent out to advertise the types of drugs available and often, what deals would cost.
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Clarke, 35, of Neville Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan, was part of an organised crime group running a county lines network – a term for exporting illegal drugs both in Greater Manchester and across the country. Gangs often direct violence and coercion towards vulnerable people and children.
Clarke, said police, sent the messages 'to multiple people who suffer from addiction' between August 3, 2022 and November 1, 2022. A warrant was executed at his home and officers seized the phone after finding it hidden underneath his bed, together with £600 in cash.
In a statement, a GMP spokesman said: "Clarke was found on the landing after officers burst through the door and he was swiftly arrested. A search of a vehicle located a few streets away uncovered cocaine prepared for individual deals.
"At an earlier hearing he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Friday 10 February to 31 months."
Detective Sergeant Chris Woodburn, from GMP's County Lines Team, said: "Once again we have removed the controller of the phone that was crucial in reaching vulnerable people who the county line networks use to make illegal profits.
"Clarke, like many of the drug dealers, are relentless in sending out these messages but we are hot on their heels and determined to remove the phone to protect these vulnerable people.
"Help us, help them by providing information on drug activity that you believe could be taking place in your community, and we will do the rest."
"To spot the signs of drug activity visit our website and to report information please either contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact GMP via 101."
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