County Lines Drug Dealer Jack Murphy Busted and Jailed
Jack Murphy, 26, from Liverpool, has been slammed with a hefty prison sentence for running a Class A drugs racket in Barrow. The drug supply operation, dubbed Operation Funicular, uncovered his role pushing crack cocaine and heroin between July and November 2019.
‘Jay Jay’ Caught Red-Handed
The court heard Murphy ran the dealer phone line known as ‘Jay Jay’. He blasted out text messages boasting the “best in town” drugs and “deals deals deals” to users in Barrow. Police first arrested Murphy on 26th November 2019 while he was in a Seat Altea near Barrow-in-Furness with co-defendant Toni Cross, 42.
Officers spotted Murphy chuck a SIM card under his seat – later confirmed as the dealer line’s SIM. A burner phone with incriminating texts was also found in the car’s glove box.
Dodged Arrest but Didn’t Dodge Justice
Murphy tried to deny any part in the drug supply. But he was found guilty of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. His partner in crime, Toni Cross, was jailed for four years earlier and had the Seat Altea seized.
“Murphy played an important part in trafficking Class A drugs into the Barrow area,” said Cumbria Constabulary’s South Area Drugs Unit spokesperson. “Following his arrest, he sought to evade justice by going on the run but was tracked down and has now faced justice.”
“This significant prison sentence should send a clear message to anyone considering such criminality. County lines drug dealing is a blight on the county and causes immense suffering to vulnerable people. Cumbria Constabulary is committed to rooting it out.”
