
Dealer who sold cocaine from jail cell sentenced
The court heard how CID officers in Northwich became suspicious of Watts in July 2024.
Incriminating messages
They later arranged for Watts to be searched in his cell, in which prison officers discovered the iPhone.The phone was later analysed by officers, who recovered a catalogue of incriminating messages.He was arrested on 21 November, just as he was leaving HMP Kirkham at the end of his previous sentence.PC Dan Lee, of Lancashire Police, said: "Watts saw his initial prison sentence as an inconvenience rather than a punishment. "After smuggling a mobile phone into the prison, he thought that he could simply continue to run his criminal enterprise from behind bars, directing people lower down the chain to deliver drugs on his behalf."However, he clearly underestimated the dedication and determination of the team here at Northwich Proactive CID."I welcome the latest sentence handed to Watts and hopefully this time he'll use his time behind bars to reflect upon his actions."
Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
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