Man jailed for £45,000 cocaine dealing operation

A drug trafficker has received a prison sentence of five years and two months for orchestrating a transaction involving £45,000 worth of cocaine. Harvey Dawson, aged 28, additionally sought to arrange subsequent transactions for larger quantities of the Class A drug and ketamine via EncroChat in 2020, according to proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court. His apprehension occurred after law enforcement agencies successfully infiltrated the encrypted communications network frequently used by offenders, leading to numerous arrests as part of Operation Venetic. Dawson, whose operations were conducted in Newcastle’s Gosforth and Jesmond districts and who currently resides in North Shields, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. Using the alias Misty Buffalo, Dawson, whose stated address was a pub located on Borough Road, orchestrated multiple transactions during March and April 2020, prosecutor Peter Sabiston stated. He facilitated the transportation of 1kg (2.2lb) of cocaine, valued at £45,000, originating from London, and sought to acquire an additional 2kg (4.4lb) of the substance, as presented in court. Communications were also discovered where he aimed to obtain 10kg (22lb) of ketamine, Mr Sabiston noted, with the prosecutor further remarking that Dawson had performed a “significant role”. During mitigation, Christopher Knox stated that the offenses took place four and a half years prior, at a time when Dawson was a “young man” experiencing “psychiatric difficulties,” for which he has since undergone comprehensive treatment and reformed his life. The proceedings had experienced delays within the legal framework due to debates concerning the extent of Dawson’s involvement, the court was informed. Record Andrew Haslam KC characterized the illicit drug market as a “wicked trade” that “plies on victims who are addicted to those drugs”. He further commented that the remuneration for dealers was “huge,” necessitating that the repercussions of apprehension and conviction be “very great”.