A drug dealer has been jailed after police unravelled a conspiracy selling cocaine and heroin across a county border.
James Porter, aged 32, was a key member of a group running a drugs line between Nottingham and Ilkeston, in Derbyshire.
Analysis of Porter’s mobile phone revealed he was dealing Class A drugs by sending out bulk messages to addicts in the town.
Porter’s involvement in drug dealing first came to light in 2022 when intelligence led officers to execute a warrant at a home in Wollaton.
Broxtowe response teams found Class A drugs, cash and multiple mobile phones when they carried out the raid and Porter was charged with a number of offences.
The force’s County Lines team began an investigation into the drugs line to Ilkeston last year and Porter was quickly found to be heavily involved.
Further investigations then led police to attend a property in Wollaton linked to him on 17 October 2024.
Porter was arrested and officers found around £5,000 worth of Class A and Class B drugs when they searched the address.
Dealer lists, deal bags, weighing scales, cash, mobile phones, designer clothing, knives and an axe were also seized.
Porter’s mobile phone was recovered and found to have sent out bulk messages on 199 occasions between July and September 2024.
Porter, of Calderdale, Nottingham, was jailed for a total of seven years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday (28 May).
He pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin.
Porter also admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, and possession of a Class B drug, in relation to the 2022 raid.
Police Constable Jack Shephard, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“When we searched this address last year there was evidence Porter was enjoying a lavish lifestyle funded by the sale of drugs.
“We know the customer base for dealers like Porter are vulnerable people addicted to Class A drugs.
“They are identified by dealers, added to distribution lists and regularly sent marketing messages advertising these substances for sale.
“The harm drugs lines like this cause in communities is why it is a priority for the force to target and disrupt those believed to be involved.
“Our proactive County Lines team, supported by other force teams, continues to tackle this problem and it’s testament to the hard work, dedication, and teamwork shown by officers that we are able to shut down County Lines operations such as this one and put dealers like this in the dock.”
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