North Shields drugs trafficker 'Misty Buffalo' jailed after his role in 'wicked trade' exposed
A cocaine trafficker calling himself Misty Buffalo was exposed as being involved in the "wicked trade" when police busted an encrypted communications network.
Like many others involved in criminal activity, Harvey Dawson thought his messages on the EncroChat platform would never be seen by police. But when the system was infiltrated, his illicit activities were revealed.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the communications showed he was engaged in the organisation and delivery of a kilo of cocaine for £45,000, which was dispatched from London to the North East. He also asked for samples of ketamine and tried to source 10 kilos of it but that did not go through, the court heard.
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Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said there was communication between Dawson and other parties, including call data showing his phone was being used in the Gosforth and Jesmond areas. He said there were further messages in which Dawson discussed £36,000 being owed to someone. Mr Sabiston added: "The defendant tried to obtain a firearm to enforce the debt. There's no evidence the firearm was obtained."
Dawson, 28, formerly of Gosforth but whose address was given as a pub in North Shields, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply three kilos of cocaine, one of which was actually delivered and ten kilos of ketamine, which did not go through. The offences took place between March and April 2020.
Jailing him for five years and two months, Recorder Andrew Haslam KC told him: "Anyone involved in the trafficking of controlled drugs, particularly class A controlled drugs, should expect to receive a substantial sentence of custody.
"That is because, in my judgement, the trafficking of controlled drugs is a wicked trade and its effect on those addicted to them is well known. The rewards are huge but the consequences for those who are caught and convicted are very great."
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The judge said Dawson had committed the offences while under pressure or intimidation from those above him and said he had been exploited. He added that he has and is receiving treatment for his drug problem.
But he added: "The seriousness of your offending means there is no alternative but for an immediate sentence of custody."
Chris Knox, defending, said: "It's the usual story where he got involved in drugs. He has now got away from drugs.
"There's no better illustration of the scourge than a young man who would otherwise never come near a court facing the horrible starting point (in the sentencing guidelines) we have here." He added that there were references from Dawson's former employer and his dad, who had said he could employ him in the kitchen of his food business.