Lucy Devine
Two drug dealers have been jailed for a total of 12 years after leaving a bag containing ketamine on a train and reporting it missing.
Jordan McCourt-Knight, 30 and Harley Hall, 28, were jailed in Cardiff, UK, on Friday (November 8) following an investigation by the British Transport Police.
The investigation began when McCourt-Knight left a bag containing a large amount of ketamine on a train in Newport, south Wales.
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The bag was discovered by staff who reported its contents to the police, who found a 'hefty' amount of ketamine inside.
While authorities were looking for its owner, McCourt-Knight reported the bag missing to staff at Newport station.
When McCourt-Knight was later arrested, he was also carrying class A and C drugs as well as 'drug paraphernalia' and several cell phones.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the ketamine had a street value of between £19,940 and £39,880 ($25,160 - $50,320).
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The investigation unveiled a drugs ring which operated across the south west of England as well as Shropshire, where drugs were imported from Portugal.
Through messages found on one of McCourt-Knight's devices, Hall was also identified and a search of his home found thousands of pounds in cash as well as over a kilo of cannabis.
Investigating officer detective sergeant Dan Murdoch said: “Our officers worked tirelessly to bring about these convictions. McCourt-Knight and Hall were in direct communication with International drug suppliers, sourcing numerous class A, B and C drugs which were then supplied throughout various parts of the UK.
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“McCourt-Knight boasted about his use of his Encro-Device which was used along with his mobile phone to source and distribute the drugs.
“But his boastfulness was short lived, as, through one careless mistake, McCourt – Knight single handedly helped bring down the drugs ring, unwittingly aiding detectives in unravelling the entire enterprise.
“These individuals cause significant harm to our communities through the supply of and profit from illicit drugs, often exploiting vulnerable persons in the process, and it is testament to the work of the team that they are now behind bars.”
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McCourt-Knight pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug and five counts of conspiracy to supply a class B drugs. He was jailed for six years and three months.
Meanwhile, Hall pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug, three counts of conspiracy to supply a class B drug and one count of possession with intent to supply cannabis. He was jailed for five years and 10 months.