A West Denton cocaine dealer who police arrested in Newcastle’s Grey Street moments after he had bought an air rifle has been jailed for more than six years.

Owen Douglas, 30, was apprehended in the city centre in July 2020 following a series of raids on an organised crime group supplying vast amounts of illegal drugs around the region. Douglas, of Fairsping in West Denton, was the “right-hand man” of ringleaders Liam Pow and Scott Ridley, who have both previously been jailed over the dealing operation.

Raids took place across properties from Cramlington, West Denton, Walker and even Newton Aycliffe – and one Walker address contained high-grade cocaine with a street value of £135,000 and £260,000 in cash. Douglas’ fingerprints were on the cash, according to police forensics.

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At his home, police found several Rolexes and diamond rings worth an estimated £93,400 as well as quantities of cash. Douglas previously pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. On March 23 he was sentenced to six years and seven months imprisonment, and also disqualified and banned from driving for 12 months following his release.

This takes the total jail time for the organised crime group to more than 65 years. Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael said: “These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication from officers and staff not only in Northumbria Police but our partners in the criminal justice system who have had enough of these brazen groups selling harmful, addictive substances in our communities.

“Douglas used his criminal cash to buy diamonds and gold rings, Rolexes and weapons – and was part of a group who operated in the shadows, using encrypted messages to hide their offending.

“This group knew they were breaking the law during an incredibly difficult time across the country. Douglas bought luxury items and lived like he was doing nothing wrong, when in reality he was profiting from an illicit business which exploited the vulnerable, funds further violent crime, and has no place here.”

There are two further people set to be sentenced later this year, with 11 having already been locked up.

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