The head of a narcotics ring that utilized thumbs-up emojis to signal the completion of transactions has been sentenced to prison.

Malachi Jamieson, 29, coordinated “hundreds” of drug deals across regions including Newcastle and Durham, many of which were executed by William Offer, 30, as revealed during proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court.

The operation was dismantled when Offer, who had traveled from his home in London to serve as a courier for cocaine and cannabis, was apprehended by law enforcement while completing a transaction from a vehicle.

Both individuals confessed to charges related to drug supply, with Malachi, hailing from Manchester, receiving a four-year prison term, while Offer was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years, along with 250 hours of community service.

On the night of March 13, 2022, prosecutor Joe Culley explained that police had strong suspicions of a drug deal in progress when they observed a man receiving a package from a parked Skoda Superb in Grosvenor Road, Jesmond.

The driver, identified as Offer, was arrested and searched at the scene.

Authorities discovered cocaine, MDMA, amphetamine, cannabis, and ketamine in the hire vehicle, which had been rented a month prior by another individual, Mr. Culley reported.

Additional drugs were also found in Offer’s underwear during a strip search conducted at the police station.

Investigations with the rental agency led to the arrest of the individual who rented the car, who is currently at large after missing a previous court date, as well as Jamieson, who played a “central role in orchestrating and facilitating the distribution of large volumes of drugs,” Mr. Culley stated.

Officers confiscated numerous phones that demonstrated Jamieson, residing on Orme Close in Manchester, using the Signal app to instruct Offer and the other courier on transactions in various locations including Newcastle and Durham.

Upon the completion of each deal, the couriers responded with a thumbs-up emoji.

In his defense, it was noted that Offer, from Highbury Park in London, developed an addiction to Class A substances and became involved in drug dealing while visiting friends in Newcastle, where he had previously studied.

Jamieson, who had a criminal record involving the distribution of cannabis, cocaine, and ketamine, for which he had received a suspended sentence, was also reported to suffer from drug addiction.

His attorney, Christopher Knox KC, argued that Jamieson was not the primary instigator of the operation but refused to provide further information to authorities due to a prior attack on his home.

Recorder David Gordon remarked on the “profound and destructive impact” of drugs on society, highlighting how they fuel addiction, harm, and criminal activity that “destabilize” communities.

He emphasized that drug supply perpetuates a “cycle of harm and exploitation.”