Newcastle man who admitted to conspiracy to supply cocaine is jailed for more than 10 years

Craig Fraser, of Wingrove Road in Newcastle, had previously admitted his role in a large-scale conspiracy to supply drugs across the North East.

Northumbria Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Team found that between March and June 2020, the 41-year-old had been using an encrypted device to source kilos of cocaine and cannabis.

Messages showed how Fraser would use hire cars to visit his associate Christopher Finlay, 39, to pick up his illegal haul.

Following a complex investigation, both men were arrested in December and charged with related drug offences.

Last month, Finlay was jailed for more than seven years at Newcastle Crown Court.

On Friday, April 28, Fraser, was sentenced to ten years and six months behind bars at the same court, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply three kilos of cocaine and three kilos of cannabis.

Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is yet another great outcome for our communities and is the result of some methodical and persistent work from officers committed to making a difference.

“These men were well aware of their actions and as our investigation was able to demonstrate – they went to great lengths to cover up their offending and operate under the radar.

“As a Force, we continue to demonstrate that illegal drugs are not welcome here and this result is the latest in a long line of successes under the banner of Operation Sentinel – our dedicated initiative to tackling serious and organised crime in the North East.

“We do not tolerate drug-related crime in our communities and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to pursue offenders, dismantle the criminal organisations behind them and place them before the courts.”

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