Drug dealer who called himself 'Misty Buffalo' jailed for his role in 'wicked trade'

A cocaine dealer who went by the alias Misty Buffalo was unmasked as part of the "wicked trade" when police cracked an encrypted communication network. Harvey Dawson, like many others involved in criminal activities, believed his messages on the EncroChat platform would remain hidden from law enforcement.

However, when the system was breached, his illegal activities came to light. Newcastle Crown Court was informed that the intercepted communications revealed he was involved in arranging and delivering a kilo of cocaine for £45,000, which was sent from London to the North East.

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He also requested samples of ketamine and attempted to procure 10 kilos of it, but this transaction did not materialise, the court heard. Prosecutor Peter Sabiston stated there was interaction between Dawson and other parties, including call data indicating his phone was used in the Gosforth and Jesmond areas.

He added that further messages showed Dawson discussing a debt of £36,000 owed to someone. Mr Sabiston continued: "The defendant tried to obtain a firearm to enforce the debt. There's no evidence the firearm was obtained."

Dawson, 28, previously of Gosforth but now residing at a pub in North Shields, admitted to conspiracy to supply three kilos of cocaine, one of which was actually delivered, and ten kilos of ketamine, which did not go through, reports Chronicle Live.

The offences occurred between March and April 2020.

Recorder Andrew Haslam KC, upon sentencing the individual to five years and two months in prison, remarked: "Anyone involved in the trafficking of controlled drugs, particularly class A controlled drugs, should expect to receive a substantial sentence of custody."

"That is because, in my judgement, the trafficking of controlled drugs is a wicked trade and its effect on those addicted to them is well known. The rewards are huge but the consequences for those who are caught and convicted are very great."

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The judge acknowledged that Dawson had been under duress or intimidation from higher-ups in the drug trade and had been taken advantage of. He noted Dawson's ongoing treatment for his drug addiction but stressed: "The seriousness of your offending means there is no alternative but for an immediate sentence of custody."

Defence lawyer Chris Knox described the all-too-common narrative of his client's descent into drug involvement, highlighting that Dawson has since distanced himself from drugs. "There's no better illustration of the scourge than a young man who would otherwise never come near a court facing the horrible starting point (in the sentencing guidelines) we have here."

Knox also mentioned positive references from Dawson's former employer and his father, who offered him employment in the family food business.