Dealer with a 'serious cannabis addiction' ran 'relatively sophisticated and professional' business

A dealer ran a 'relatively sophisticated and professional' drugs business from his north Manchester home. Luke Malone, 26, sold cannabis and cocaine, but was rumbled when cops searched his property in July last year.

They found a small amount of weed, along with an iPhone. Malone claimed he started selling drugs to pay off a debt following the death of his grandparents, Manchester Crown Court heard.

He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis and was handed a suspended sentence.

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Prosecutor Daniel Calder said: “At around 7.30am on July 24 2023, the police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s address. The defendant was present with another male.

“Inside his bedroom they found a small quantity of cannabis and an iPhone belonging to the defendant.”

The phone was analysed and messages were found which indicated that he was involved in supplying cocaine and cannabis. There was also a debtors list contained in the ‘Notes’ section, the court heard.

“There was one message which referred to someone owing ‘2k’ to the defendant and arrangements for how it was to be paid,” Mr Calder added.

Prosecutors said it was a ‘relatively sophisticated and professional enterprise’. “He clearly had a serious cannabis addiction,” Karl Volz said in mitigation.

“He owed money and he was in receipt of money for the drugs he was selling, but he owed money. His addiction was exacerbated by the [death] of his grandmother and his grandfather who was like a surrogate father to him.”

Mr Volz said his client had kept out of trouble since the offences, his mental health had improved and he