A court regular who once accidentally shot his best friend dead is back in prison after being caught peddling misery on the streets of Wirral.
Carl Mello, 35, was heavily involved in running a drugs graft for an organised crime group based around the Ford estate in Birkenhead. The gang, which advertised crack and heroin on a phone known as the 'Macca Line', was infiltrated by undercover police officers, Liverpool Crown Court heard this week.
His offending for the drugs ring marked the latest in a two decade criminal career, marked with regular appearances in the dock. Mello, of Cheapside, Liverpool city centre, was already heavily involved in criminal activity when his most heinous offence took place on August 4, 2004.
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The then 17-year-old was handling a stolen shotgun in Park Way, Toxteth, when it went off twice and killed his best friend Daniel Parris, 18. Mello, who was "like a brother" to Mr Parris, was said to have had no animosity towards the victim and the prosecution eventually accepted a plea to manslaughter.
Mello was handed three years detention in a Young Offenders' Institute, and was "forgiven" by his victim's mum according to reports from the time.
But Mello was unable to steer clear of the courtrooms. In May 2015 he was spared jail after admitting affray in relation to a brawl at the Cool Room in Birkenhead, when a man's jaw was broken.
In 2016 he was jailed for theft offences, after travelling to Wales looking to steal from cars and houses. He was convicted of battery and spared jail in 2017, before once again being hauled before the courts in 2021.
On that occasion Mello led police on a 90mph car chase through a residential estate in his girlfriend's Ford C-Max. Mello sped off when police officers on patrol indicated for him to pull over in Fender Way, Bidston. The conditions were wet and Mello created "heavy spray" while driving into oncoming traffic and taking roundabouts without stopping.
At one point he mounted the pavement at speed in Needham Crescent, then abandoned the car and fled on foot, ignoring an officer who recognised him and shouted his name and for him to stop.
Mello was chased to Sandalwood Drive, where he ran into a home known to be his girlfriend's, but surrendered when more officers arrived. He was again spared jail on that occasion, but yet another second chance did not prevent him falling back into crime.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this week how Mello was involved in the Macca Lane from September 2021 until January this year. 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”.
Merseyside Police launched an undercover sting dubbed Operation Mound, which saw officers posing as drug users making test purchases. This led the police to Adrian Reed, 55, of Moel Gron, Mynydd.
Reed was known to have been "cooking" crack cocaine, according to prosecutor Henry Riding, but played a less significant role in the conspiracy than Mello.
Lionel Greig, defending Mello, told the court his client "took responsibility" for his role in the conspiracy, and had been acting as a carer for his mum. Judge David Swinnerton acknowledged this cause problems for he while he was in prison, but added "that's your fault."
Judge Swinnerton said: "You caused considerable misery to other families, doing so for profit and money”. Mello was jailed for four and a half years and Reed for three years.
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