Newcastle drug dealers found with 10 wraps of crack-cocaine stashed inside Easter egg

Drug dealers Jack Fowler, 24, and Rhys Bell, 23, were both jailed

Two Newcastle drug dealers were found with 10 wraps of cocaine stashed inside an Easter egg.

Jack Fowler, 24, was behind the wheel of a Hyundai in Byker when police saw a “drugs transaction” take place. Soon after, his pal Rhys Bell, 23, got in his car and police swooped in. But when the officers tried to speak to Fowler, he attempted to reverse away, smashing into a taxi and another parked car in the process.

Both Bell and Fowler were eventually arrested and hundreds of pounds worth of crack-cocaine was found stashed inside an Easter egg. A hatchet and a machete were also in the car, along with mobile phones which included text messages relating to drug-dealing.

On Tuesday, Fowler, of Northbourne Street, Elswick, and Bell, of Avison Court, Avison Street, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for possession of a class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article. Fowler was also sentenced for dangerous driving, with Bell being sentenced for a charge of assaulting a police officer. They had both pleaded guilty.

The court heard that police were on patrol in the early hours of June 25, 2023, when they spotted Fowler in a Hyundai parked at the BP petrol garage on Shields Road in Byker. Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said: “A male on a bicycle was leaning into the vehicle and a transaction took place.

“The cyclist rode away and Bell entered the passenger side. Police then blocked their exit and officers spoke to Fowler – he attempted to reverse. [The officer] stood in front of the car and told him to stop.

“He reversed at speed, crashing into two stationary vehicles at the pumps. The officer was concerned about damage to the pumps and risk of a fire.”

Fowler then reversed once again, resulting in his Hyundai becoming “embedded” in one of the parked cars. The officers then began to smash the rear windows of Fowler’s car as he tried to drive away. When one of the officers “thrust” their baton at him, he eventually told them: ‘I give up’.

Fowler was then arrested as Bell attempted to get out of the car and flee. There was then a struggle with the officers and Bell hit out at one before he was eventually arrested. The court heard that one of the cars Fowler damaged was a Blueline taxi, with £1,000 damage being caused.

When Fowler’s car was searched, a machete and a hatchet were found, along with over £160 cash and 10 small bags of white powder inside an Easter egg. Tests later revealed the white powder was in fact crack-cocaine. When Fowler was searched, five more wraps of cocaine were found stashed inside a Kinder egg.

The court heard that Fowler had 14 previous convictions for 31 offences, and went on to be jailed for two years for violent disorder after being involved in the far-right Sunderland riots. Bell had 18 previous convictions for 47 offences.

Penny Hall, defending Fowler, said he had been a victim of an arson attack. She said: “His house had been the subject of arson and he became involved in supplying drugs while in debt.”

Ms Hall added that Fowler had completed a catering course in prison and was an “enhanced prisoner”. She said he hopes to open his own business after prison or work on an oil rig.

Judge Robert Spragg jailed Fowler for four years and banned him from driving for four years and three months. He must sit an extended re-test if he wants his licence back.

Bell, who had also breached a suspended sentence, was jailed for four years and 10 months. A total of 14 months of his suspended sentence was re-activated.

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Fowler was also jailed for his involvement with the UK Riots