Two men from Nottinghamshire have been jailed for their involvement in supplying Class A drugs following a police operation targeting county lines dealing in Skegness.
Wade Smith, 41, from Gedney Avenue, Nottingham, and Logan Hartley, 34, of St Albans Road, Arnold, were among seven people sentenced following an investigation involving Lincolnshire Police and the Metropolitan Police.
The operation, carried out over eight days, resulted in significant quantities of drugs being seized, multiple arrests and five drug-dealing lines being closed.
Officers based in Skegness worked alongside the Metropolitan Police’s County Lines Taskforce under Operation Orochi, targeting organised drug dealing in the Lincolnshire seaside town and other parts of the Midlands.
Smith admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison at Lincoln Crown Court on 1 September.
Hartley pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, involving cocaine and heroin. He was jailed for three years and four months at Lincoln Crown Court on 9 October.
The two Nottinghamshire men received combined prison sentences of eight years and 11 months.
Five other defendants, including four from Skegness and one from Birmingham, have also been sentenced following the enforcement operation.
Christopher Cook, 25, of Albany Road, Skegness, admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and possessing cannabis. He was sentenced on 24 September to three years and six months in prison, with time already spent on remand taken into account.
Connor Teft, 26, of Fainlight Terrace, Drummond Road, Skegness, admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He had breached previous bail conditions and was recalled to prison. He was subsequently sentenced to a further three years and nine months.
Cohen Handley, 18, of Danial Close, Skegness, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply. He received a 26-month detention sentence, suspended for three years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and rehabilitation activities.
Josh Lowey, 20, of Wainfleet Road, Skegness, admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine. He received a two-year detention sentence, suspended for 18 months, together with rehabilitation requirements.
Andre Stewart, 25, of Destiny Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis with intent to supply. He was sentenced on 28 September to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to undertake rehabilitation activities.
Lincolnshire Police said the enforcement activity formed part of its continuing efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks and prevent drug-related harm.
County lines operations typically involve criminal networks distributing drugs between areas, often using dedicated mobile phone numbers to arrange sales.
Police said information from the public remained important in identifying drug dealing and other organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information can contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 or report concerns anonymously through Crimestoppers.
