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Nine years for 'dark web' dealer

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date16 June 2022
Publication titleHuddersfield Daily Examiner
Simon Barclay, who has three past convictions for dealing Class A substances, sold drugs on the dark web before sending them to people from across the UK in the post

He received payment for the drugs in the form of cryptocurrency and had been paid the equivalent of £5.48million before his arrest last year.

During his sentencing yesterday, Leeds Crown Court was told that Barclay, of Cowcliffe Road, was stopped by police in Huddersfield on November 3 last year. He was carrying a bag and three mobile phones at the time.

Inside the bag were envelopes, addressed to different people, which contained a number of substances including cocaine and heroin.

The 41-year-old had intended to send the drugs in the post as part of an operation he was involved in on the dark web.

After stopping Barclay in the street, police went on to search two properties linked to him in Huddersfield. More drugs were found on the kitchen worktop of one, while cocaine was found stashed in Barclay's bedside drawer at a flat he was renting in the town. He had also hidden cocaine inside the flat's fridge.

It is estimated Barclay was in possession of around £1.2million of cocaine and heroin.

Evidence of Barclay's operation on the dark web was found on a number of devices seized by police during the searches.

"It was through the dark web that he arranged for the sale and payment of drugs," said Matthew Bean, prosecuting.

Barclay used three usernames to conceal his identity. "The defendant used those (usernames) to supply drugs and arranged for them to be sent in the post and received money in crypto," Mr Bean said.

Representing Barclay, Mr Hudson said that his client "is someone who is susceptible to pressure" and "vulnerable to exploitation."

He said: "He was heavily using drugs at the time and had a drugs debt. He was living in squalor - it was not a luxurious lifestyle." The 41-year-old had initially pleaded not guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine and...

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