Man accused of being 'high level' drug dealer found with body armour, CS gas and machete, trial hears

A man accused of being a 'high level' drug dealer was found with body armour, CS gas and a machete, a trial has heard.

Lee Standen, 42, is alleged to be involved in the supply of cocaine across Wigan during the 2020 and 2021. Prosecutors allege that he had an Encrochat device, and used the handle ‘AleZebra’ as part of the conspiracy.

After the encrypted system was broken into by law enforcement, Mr Standen was arrested as part of the conspiracy, it was said. At his home, officers found drugs, body armour, CS gas and a machete, jurors heard.

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“The drugs must come from somewhere, someone keeping their distance, hiding from the law, at a high level making the big bucks,” prosecutor Phil Barnes said. “The prosecution say this defendant is one of those individuals.”

Manchester Crown Court heard that Wigan had a drug problem, particularly cocaine, between 2020 and 2021. Prosecutors said that a conspiracy involving a number of men saw the supply of ‘tens of kilograms’ of cocaine throughout the area.

Jurors were told that eight men, namely Dean Smallwood, Jamie Kenny, Leon Kenny, Nathan Cooke, Sam Causer, Nathan Hart, Ian Ormshaw and Daryl Golding, have already admitted their involvement. The prosecutor said that whilst others have admitted they were involved, it showed it was proof the conspiracy existed, but it did not mean that Mr Standen was involved as well.

Mr Barnes told jurors that Mr Standen was the user of the