A CRACK cocaine dealer who sent out a mobile phone “text bomb” advertising illegal wares for sale has been jailed for more than two-and-a-half years.
James Alexander Bell’s crime emerged after police attended an address in Brampton, near Carlisle, on June 8 in connection with an unrelated matter.
When police searched the property, a quantity of crack cocaine was found within a room in which 46-year-old Bell had been sleeping. Officers also recovered handwritten “debtors’ lists”, snap-sealed bags and cash.
Examination of Bell’s mobile phone revealed he’d sent a “text bomb” advertising the sale of drugs had been sent to 68 people, and had also been sent “coded requests” for cocaine. Analysis of a micro SD card produced video clips showing him apparently both using and bagging up controlled substances ready for distribution.
Bell admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug, and was jailed for 32 months at Carlisle Crown Court today (MON).
Judge Brian Cummings QC heard qualified plumber and roofer Bell, of Kingwater Close, Brampton, had racked up debt when his drugs use got worse after the sudden death of his partner, in January 2018, “turned his life upside down”.
