A FORMER wind turbine worker turned Barrow drug dealer has been jailed for almost ten years.

Coultan Riglar, 29, became involved in a Class A county lines operation to pay off drug debts, a court heard.

Prosecutor Jamie Baxter told the court Riglar operated a ‘management function’ in an Organised Crime Group (OCG).

He said the defendant facilitated the transport of cocaine from Rochdale in Greater Manchester through trusted couriers to Barrow and North Wales.

Riglar was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Friday alongside Rochdale co-defendants Craig Riley, 34, of Buxton Crescent, and Jonathan Felstead, 38, of Neston Road.

All pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between October 16 2021 and March 16 2022.

In total 1.25kgs of near 80 per cent pure cocaine was seized by police as part of Operation Holly during four separate drug exchanges, the court heard.

The court heard a total of 15 trips were made – in addition to the seizures to re-stock Class A drugs, collect cash – or both.

Mr Baxter said ‘comfortably’ in the region of 5kgs of Class A drugs were supplied – with approximately three/four kilograms destined for Cumbria with around quarter kilos of cocaine taken over 12 trips.

READ MORE HERE: Barrow drug dealer, 29, involved in Class A county lines operation to Cumbria

Riglar, formerly of Vernon Street in Barrow, was also sentenced for possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession with intent to supply cocaine and breaching a stalking order.

The offences relate to when police attended an address in Liverpool Street in Barrow on May 25 2021 to arrest Riglar on suspicion of stalking and breach of bail for an unrelated domestic, the court heard.

During a search of the property, they discovered 2,588 grams of cannabis, which also had co-defendant Adam Jacques’ fingerprints on, the court was told.

Mr Baxter said the cannabis had a potential street value of £26,000.

On that occasion, police also recovered 55.2 grams of 80 per cent pure cocaine wrapped in the top of Jacques’ duvet, as well as another package containing 16 grams of cocaine at 82% per cent purity.

In total, £34,960 worth of drugs was seized from the address, the court heard.

Richard Vardom, representing Riglar at a trial of issue hearing on April 4, said his client was ‘regretful’ he was before the courts.

Mr Vardom said: “He was in a downward spiral and had accrued a large drug debt following a breakdown in his relationship so began using cocaine and alcohol.

“His mental health deteriorated as a result and he was in the worst place in his life."

He has spent two years on remand which he says has saved his life. He was previously a Turbine Technician offshore for nine years and is a father of three.

“For the first time in some years, he is now drug-free and is ready to start rebuilding his life," said Mr Vardom.

His Honour Judge Martin Walsh, The Honorary Recorder of Bolton jailed Riglar for 118 months, Riley for eight years imprisonment and Felstead for five years.