Moulton drug dealer went on trading despite police investigation

Officers found a wealth of drug dealing evidence on a phone belonging to James Owen, of Ravencroft Street, after he was pulled over on the A556 in Sandiway on October 29, last year.

The Vauxhall Tigra he was driving smelled strongly of cannabis, and although there were no drugs in the car, he was given a roadside drugs test.

The 41-year-old was found to have more than six times the legal quantity of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, in his system.

Police kept his phone for analysis, and once they had the evidence, the former scaffolder was brought in for questioning in January, when his new phone was also examined.

This one also had evidence of his supplying cocaine commercially, proving he’d picked up right where he left off after his arrest in October.

After giving a no comment interview, he was charged with one count of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, to which he pleaded guilty on August 24 at Chester Crown Court.

At his sentencing hearing at Chester on Friday, September 27, prosecutor, Peter Hussey, said Owen told police he’d got into selling drugs as a means of covering his own debts.

Defending, Gareth Roberts told the court Owen has been out of legitimate work in the construction industry since breaking his leg, at which time, his life ‘started to unravel’.

James Owen (Image: Cheshire Police) He said the dad-of-two started using cocaine and cannabis more and more, and his debts – for household expenses as well as his own drugs – meant he turned to dealing as a way to make ends meet.

Mr Roberts added: “This has been a profound experience for my client, who is terrified of what the future holds for him, and he is suffering great shame and embarrassment.

“He is terrified of what the future holds for him. He is desperate not to go to prison.

“He understands the risks he was taking, and he blames no one but himself.”

Mr Roberts went on to describe Owen’s drug operation as ‘a very amateurish, one-man band affair’ involving him selling mostly ‘to people he knew’.

Passing sentence, His Honour Judge Steven Everett said: “You were given a serious shot across the bows by police when you were stopped in October 2023, yet you carried on supplying until January 2024.

“This is an important aggravating factor.

“Cocaine is an evil drug, and you know its effects because you yourself have been enslaved by them.

“Users steal, rob, burgle, or like you, turn to supplying it themselves. This has devastating effects on communities, families, and the whole of society.

“While I’m prepared to accept there is genuine remorse, it is clear you had an expectation of significant financial advantage. You did this for money.”

The judge sentenced Owen to three years in prison, which he said was ‘the least possible sentence in the circumstances’.

Owen was also caught drug-driving several times before being sentenced for his first offence on April 16 and is now banned from driving for 54 months.