A MAN accused of being involved with 16 others in a massive criminal drugs supply plot which saw north Cumbria addicts targeted with “text bombs” advertising illegal wares for sale has gone on trial.
A jury at Carlisle Crown Court has heard how 11 men and women based in and around the city – and five others from the Liverpool area – were involved in a “county lines” conspiracy through which cocaine and heroin were trafficked by “middle managers” from Merseyside and peddled to users who were sent mass messages.
Those 16 people, the court was told, had either admitted or been convicted of having varying degrees of roles in a conspiracy which ran between June and November, 2018.
A 17th person, 27-year-old Louis James Roberto Simpson, is also accused of being part of that plot.
Prosecutor Tim Evans, opening the case to jurors, alleged that fingerprint, photographic and mobile telephone evidence – along with a distinctive sports bag – showed Simpson was involved at a early stage having been instructed by the illegal enterprise main man to travel to Carlisle.
Simpson’s alleged role is said to have emerged after a Harraby home in the city was searched by police who recovered drugs and associated paraphernalia.
“This defendant played a particular role for a particular period of time,” alleged Mr Evans. “His key role, say the crown, was something that is critical to county lines conspiracies such as these – bringing drugs from Liverpool into the conspiracy.
The prosecutor added: “He is a trusted operative within this conspiracy.”
Simpson, of Walton Road, Liverpool, denies conspiring with others to supply the class A drugs, and the trial continues.
