A PAIR of drug gang members have been jailed after police found their fingerprints "all over the evidence."

James McCue, aged 21 and of Queensway in Wrexham, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for Sentencing on Friday alongside 22-year-old George Hewitt, of no fixed abode.

Both had previously been convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Sarah Badrawy, prosecuting, told the court the defendants entered into a drugs conspiracy in Wrexham after police broke up the operations of another organised criminal group.

At first, Hewitt was a street dealer - but following the arrest of other drug dealers he moved up to making contact with a supplier and procuring bulk quantities of heroin and cocaine.

The Leader: George Hewitt. Image: North Wales PoliceGeorge Hewitt. Image: North Wales Police

McCue was a courier in the operation, the court heard, and was seen moving between Wrexham and Liverpool in a taxi.

Throughout its investigations, North Wales Police raided properties in Caergwrle and Gwersylt - with almost a third of a million pounds' worth of drugs being seized.

Officers found the defendant's DNA and finger prints on drug packaging and on the interior of safes in the properties which contained drugs.

Andrew Green, defending for Hewitt, said: "He is still maturing with the best years ahead of him.

"The impact of the time he spends in custody will be felt particularly acutely.

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"He comes from a good family and he is very much aware he has let them down."
Paul Smith, defending for McCue, said: "He is expressing a strong desire to move on with his life.

"His record isn't flattering - he does have previous convictions but nothing relating to drugs.

"He wants to make use of his time in custody and may well not come back to this kind of offending ever again."

Judge Timothy Petts said their actions was indicative of "yet another county lines drugs case which we see all too often in North Wales."

The Leader: James McCue. Image: North Wales PoliceJames McCue. Image: North Wales Police

He said such conspiracies "profit from the misery they spread," adding: "You were both heavily involved.

"Your fingerprints were all over the evidence."

The Judge jailed McCue for six years and Hewitt for eight years and three months.

At the conclusion, Judge Petts said: "My thanks and appreciation go to the police in breaking up this large drugs conspiracy.

"It was clearly a lot of drugs to have taken off the street and the police are to be commended for their investigation and preparation of this case."

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