A CARLISLE man accused of involvement in a major heroin and crack cocaine supply plot has told a jury: “I am nothing to do with this.”
Daniel Brennan, 32, is on trial at the city’s crown court. Together with another Carlisle resident, 29-year-old Sharnee Dawkins, and James Bailey, aged 19 and from Skelmersdale, Brennan denies one charge. This alleges conspiracy to supply class A drugs between June and November last year.
Jurors have heard that 13 other people – nine from Cumbria and four from the Liverpool area – admit being part of the criminal county lines plot. This, the prosecution say, involved Merseyside members of the gang trafficking crack cocaine and heroin to Cumbria for supply to addicts. Local residents are said to have helped by sub-dealing and allowing addresses to be used, while a number of key mobile phone numbers are said to have sent out mass messages to would-be customers advertising illicit substances for sale.
It is alleged that Brennan, a drug user and homeless at the time, was responsible for sending out “text bombs”. It is further alleged he and another man broke into the house of a conspirator and stole a chemical used to bulk out quantities of drugs.
But, giving evidence this afternoon (TUES) Brennan denied those allegations. “I am nothing to do with this,” he insisted.
His barrister, Nicholas Clarke, asked: “Were you involved in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs to users in Carlisle?”
Brennan replied: “No.”
The trial continues.
