02-05-2025
County Lines Class A drug dealer from Wrexham is jailed
Bailey Geddes, of Churton Road, Wrexham, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (May 1).
The 23-year-old had previously admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin between January and March this year.
Laura Knightley, prosecuting, said that Merseyside Police led Operation Gasket sought to infiltrate County Lines gangs dealing out of the Liverpool area.
The investigation focused on the use of telephones, known as 'graft phones' which are used to advertise drugs to users.
The court heard that based on intelligence, police officers raided Geddes' home address in March this year. They recovered two phones - one of which had been smashed in half and the sim card discarded. Police also found cocaine and a cutting agent.
However, police were able to uncover messages from both phones. One showed an "active line" with "bulk" messages sent and slang terminology indicative of drug supply used from December 2024.
On February 24, that phone advertised a new number which was activated two days later. The number was active in the Caia Park area and again advertised the sale of cocaine and heroin.
The court heard that Geddes' operation was thought to be "orchestrated" by Liverpool-based drug gangs.
Geddes, who has six previous convictions between 2017 and 2024 for robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage and common assault, was arrested.
Joshua Gorst, defending, said that Geddes lives in Wrexham - so was not entering the area with the intention of selling drugs and returning home. He said the defendant had lost his job at a food factory as he was supporting his partner with a difficult pregnancy.
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He is said to have struggled to get benefits and turned to drug dealing as a means of supporting his family. Mr Gorst said this was the "motivation" for his offending.
Judge Simon Mills said drugs cause "appalling harm" to communities, and "destroy lives". "I see people in the dock every day whose lives have been smashed to pieces by Class A drugs and dealers," he said.
"Wrexham is devastated by people coming to the area to sell drugs."
He sentenced Geddes to three years and four months imprisonment.
