Ryan Bateman, 36, pleaded guilty to drug supply across the Upper Hunter

Ryan Bateman was dealing drugs across the Upper Hunter but little did he know he was being watched by police, who listened in on more than 10,000 of his calls. Read what happened in court.

Ryan Bateman appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty. Supplied Amy Ziniak

It was February last year that detectives locked eyes on drug dealer Ryan Bateman, who was in their sights for supplying large amounts of the party drug GHB across the Upper Hunter.

Strike Force Smollett was started by Muswellbrook investigators, who tapped the 36-year-old’s phone, monitored his calls and text messages over a six-week period.

Court documents have revealed that, during that time, they listened into more than 11,000 calls and reviewed almost a staggering 7000 messages.

Police facts detailed that Bateman would have hundreds of conversations where he would organise the supply of methylamphetamine, cannabis and cocaine and would direct purchases through Pay ID.

Between late February and March, court documents stated that Bateman supplied a total of more than 200 grams of meth during 114 deals and, in a two-week period from March to April, supplied a total of more than 100 grams of the same drug during another 67 occasions.

Ryan Bateman, 36, was detected selling drugs across the Upper Hunter. Istock

Police facts said Bateman also supplied a total of 767 grams of cannabis leaf during more than 30 deals, and two grams of cocaine.

The constant sale of drugs saw officers detect numerous deposits into Bateman’s bank account totalling more than $10,000.

Conversations were also detected between Bateman and Rhianna Gresham in that period discussing the purchase of “G” or GHB including an order of 25 litres where he planned to take “half” for $1500.

Bateman was arrested in Muswellbrook on April 12 after police pulled his vehicle over near Sydney St before a raid on a Denman property.

Officers also seized more than 55g of meth and 6.65g of heroin.

In Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, Bateman appeared via video link and pleaded guilty to two counts of ongoing drug supply, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, take part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug as well as two counts each other drug supply and deemed drug supply.

A number of other charges were also withdrawn and his matters will shift to the District Court later this month for a sentence date to be set.

Gresham also pleaded guilty to supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, drug possession and fail to comply with a digital evidence access order direction.

Her matters have been adjourned to the same date to match up with Bateman.