Pair who made £150k every month in online drugs operation are now behind bars
“Hopefully they will reflect on the misery they have helped to cause families and communities by flooding the streets with drugs.”
Two drug dealers have been jailed following an investigation by police into the sale of cocaine and cannabis on social media.
Warrants were executed at two properties in July as part of a Merseyside Police action day named Operation Vanguard.
An investigation led by the Project Medusa team found that Jake Lowe, 28, and 30-year-old Joseph Knockton had been using a dedicated WhatsApp group and Instagram account to advertise and sell cannabis between February and June.
Phone messages showed the pair arranging sales of more than 9kg of cannabis over 26 days.
The raid at Lowe's home on Manchester Road, Ince, uncovered a sophisticated illegal postal operation.
Officers discovered bin bags containing thousands of packages featuring cannabis branding, which were used to distribute drugs sold online.
They recovered more than 4kg of cannabis, valued at around £66,000, along with a smaller quantity of cocaine. Cash, mobile phones, a knuckle duster and a Taser were also seized.
Lowe attempted to escape through a window naked, but was quickly detained after being found perched on a fence nearby.
Further evidence of the drug-dealing operation was recovered during a search of Knockton's home on Braithwaite Close in Rainhill.
Officers also seized a Rolex watch and £30,000.
Lowe pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession of cocaine and possession of criminal property.
Knockton pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession of criminal property.
At Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Lowe was jailed for four years and Knockton was jailed for three years.
Det Ch Insp Gary Stratton, from Project Medusa, said: "This was a sophisticated drug-dealing operation set up by Lowe and Knockton. We found bin bags full of plastic containers bearing their drug branding, which they used to sell drugs online.
"The turnover they generated is estimated to have been in the region of £150,000 a month, so this is a great result. We have intercepted two drug dealers who thought they were above the law and who were prepared to peddle their filth online.
"Thankfully, they pleaded guilty to their crimes and are now behind bars. Hopefully they will reflect on the misery they have helped to cause families and communities by flooding the streets with drugs.”