Heroin and crack dealer locked up for five years
AN Altrincham drug dealer has been jailed after he helped a Manchester gang sell heroin and crack cocaine in Devon.
John Palmer carried out a series of different roles for the gang including bringing the drugs to Devon, sending money back and handling ‘graft phones.’
He was caught dealing within yards of Exeter Cathedral in September last year but carried on organising for the villains in an attempt to recoup the loss of cash and drugs in a series of police raids.
He was found with £6,000 cash hidden in his underwear which was destined to be banked and sent through intermediaries to the gang in Manchester.
He was finally arrested when police raided a property in Exeter on June 1 and found him and four associates splitting up, cutting, and bagging £5,000 worth of crack and heroin which he had just delivered.
Palmer, 34, of Kenmere Road, Altrincham, admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply one of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, and three of money laundering.
He was jailed for five years at Exeter Crown Court by Recorder Mr Martin Meeke QC, who also ordered the confiscation of the money and drugs.
The judge told him: “You were the linchpin in Exeter for an organisation from the Manchester area but there is no doubt you were controlled by others and may well have been under pressure, more so when the drugs you carried were seized by police.”
Peter Coombe, prosecuting, said Palmer was known to have been operating in Cathedral Close in September 2016 and was arrested with another man.
He had £277.41 cash and phones from which group messages had been sent offering heroin and cocaine in an text advertisement which claimed ‘best of both.’ The other man had 37 rocks of crack in his sock which would have sold for £10 each.
Palmer was arrested again in November with £4,000 in his underwear and details of a bank account where it was to be sent. He complained about the loss of the money and called the police a few days later. Mr Coombe said: “He called the police in great agitation and demanded the money back. He threatened to flood the streets of Exeter with heroin if it was not returned.”
Police not only kept the cash but seized another £1,331.60 from a flat where Palmer was staying in Exeter on May 11 and £475.46 during the final raid.
James Smith, defending, said Palmer was pressurised into going to Exeter because he had a drug debt and threats were made to his family.