A COUPLE of men have been jailed for their involvement in a County Lines drugs operation based in Colwyn Bay.

Nathan Quinn, 28, and Jamie Williams, 21, were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, and two years and four months’ imprisonment respectively, at Mold Crown Court today (November 21).

Quinn, of King Street, Bradshaw, Bolton, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin and driving while disqualified on the day his trial was due to start.

Williams, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply at his plea and trial preparation hearing.

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Prosecutor Anna Price said that, earlier this year, police became aware of two phone numbers being used in the supply of class A drugs in the Colwyn Bay area.

The two numbers had been used in the same “graft phone”, which stored two SIM cards in it.

Shortly before 11am on May 1, police officers saw a rented Nissan Juke parked in the car park of the Asda supermarket, before leaving shortly after.

Quinn was driving the car, despite being banned from the roads at the time.

At 12.20pm that day, the same officers saw the same car parked near Marks & Spencer in Llandudno – Quinn was in the driver’s seat, and Williams was the front-seat passenger.

Both men were arrested, while the “graft phone” was found in the car, and was said to be “constantly ringing” at the time.

An iPhone was also seized from Williams’ pocket, while £80, in £10 notes, was taken from that of Quinn.

Also seized from inside the car were two more iPhones, a small phone battery, £1,550 in cash, a lock knife, a large hunting knife, a fake Italian driving licence with Quinn’s picture on it, a packet of cannabis, and a slingshot.

A bag of drugs containing packages of heroin and crack cocaine were also found in Williams’ underwear.

CCTV analysis, meanwhile, showed Quinn had been purchasing “top-ups” for the “graft phone” in Colwyn Bay and Bolton.

It also transpired that, on April 29, the hired vehicle he was arrested in two days later left North Wales for Manchester – where Williams was at the same time.

The hire car returned to North Wales that evening, before the “graft phone” then began sending out “flare messages” advertising the sale of drugs.

Defending Quinn, who had 22 previous convictions for 37 offences, Patrick Buckley said he has “attempted to access what resources are available” in custody to him since being remanded.

Quinn, who was serving a suspended sentence at the time of his arrest, aims to “keep his head down and do his time”, Mr Buckley added.

Representing Williams, a man of previous good character, John Dove said he “accepts full responsibility” for his offending, having made a “foolish decision” to become involved.

Williams, he said, was “sofa-surfing” at the time, and needed money to start his own business cleaning gutters and fascias.

He was said to have “made some good progress” while on remand, including undertaking English, business enterprise, and mental health classes.

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry told the defendants: “You take a risk, and you face the consequences.

“You should understand that you were dealing in a part of North Wales that is being hammered by drug crime.

“When people from outside the area come here, thinking North Wales is a soft touch, they’ve got to think again.”

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Gemma Mary Smith, of North Wales Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit said: “County Lines drug-dealing is linked to the most serious violence, which causes misery and fear in our communities.

“I welcome today’s sentencing and hope this case provides reassurance to the local community that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle drug-related crime in North Wales.

“Information from the public is vital in breaking down organised crime and we urge members of our communities to speak up to enable us to make North Wales the safest place to live, work and visit.

“If you have any concerns about drug dealing in your area, or you think someone could be at risk of exploitation, contact us on 101, via our website, or by anonymously calling the independent charity Crimestoppers.”