Drug conspiracy ringleader's man is jailed for his role in cocaine plot

Michael Carey was sentenced for conspiring to supply class A drugs, cocaine, when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court.

The court heard the 24-year-old is already serving a 52-month prison sentence for possession with intent to supply cocaine - that drug dealing having taken place after his initial arrest for being involved in the conspiracy.

JAIL: Michael Carey has been jailed for his role in a drug conspiracy. Picture: Getty Images (Image: Getty)

Ramya Nagesh, prosecuting, said the ringleader of the 20kg cocaine conspiracy, Gareth Pegler, had supplied Carey.

Miss Nagesh said Carey lived in Ilfracombe, North Devon.

"He is described as Mr Pegler's man in Devon," the prosecutor said.

"Pegler would send kilos of cocaine down to Ilfracombe, to Carey."

She said Pegler's phone was tracked making 26 visits to Carey between August 2019 and March 2020 - most journeys being made undercover late at night.

Messages on the phone revealed the journeys were to traffic cocaine, the drugs then sold on by Carey with the money later returned to Pegler's operation.

RINGLEADER: Gareth Pegler ran a cocaine plot. Picture: Facebook (Image: Facebook)

The prosecutor said Carey was raided by police on November 7, 2020 - the police discovering £18,000 in cash in his home. 

"That was undoubtedly money Carey had for Pegler's drugs," the prosecutor said.

Miss Nagesh said Carey had played a "leading role" in the conspiracy, supplying cocaine into Devon while others were supplying in the West Midlands.

But Will Parkhill, defending Carey, said: "He is selling drugs, he is a one-man band," said Mr Parkhill.

"To suggest he plays the leading role in the conspiracy is not the case.

"He is young, naive."

He added Carey, who had previous convictions for violence and supplying cannabis, had his own cocaine addiction and was making efforts to turn his life around during his time in prison.

Sentencing Carey, Judge Martin Jackson said: "You were an important customer (to Pegler),"

"You achieved a role as a significant supplier of cocaine in Devon."

He jailed Carey for five years and nine months, running concurrently with his current jail sentence.

READ MORE: Gareth Pegler - 14 years jail for 20kg cocaine conspiracy

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We reported earlier this year that Gareth Pegler, 39, of Saxon Way, Wychbold, was jailed for 14 years. 

His lieutenants and runners involved in the operation, including his own brother, have also all been previously sentenced.