Cocaine dealer jailed after phone hacked by police

Image source, Northumbria Police

Image caption, Adam Reay, 32, was jailed for six years

A cocaine dealer has been jailed for six years after his phone was hacked by police.

Detectives found numerous messages on Adam Reay's phones between March and May 2020 discussing large value cocaine deals, drop-offs of drugs and cash, and advice on how to process the Class A drug, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

South Tyneside-based Reay, 32, admitted being involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.

His partner Paula Lynch, 41, whose home was used as a safehouse for Reay's drugs, admitting allowing her premises to be used and was jailed for 18 weeks suspended for 18 months.

Prosecutor Glenn Gatland said details of Reay's drug dealing were revealed after police hacked the EncroChat network.

They showed Reay, of Hindmarch Drive in West Boldon, arranging to buy cocaine and cannabis for thousands of pounds and organising for "runners" to supply the drugs to street dealers.

He also discussed the best ways to cut cocaine with mixing agents and boost his "corners" - meaning 250g of cocaine - into larger amounts to sell on.

Officers found a drugs press, chemicals and other mixing paraphernalia at Lynch's home in Gorse Avenue, South Shields.

Follow 麻豆社 North East on , , and . Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.