A gang of drug dealers has been jailed after police unravelled a conspiracy to sell cocaine and heroin.
Matthew Harverye, aged 36, was a key member of the group running a drugs line between Lenton and Newark in Nottinghamshire.
Officers executed coordinated warrants at homes linked to the conspiracy in Newark, Balderton and Lenton on 13 March 2025.
As well as seizing wraps of Class A drugs, officers found scales, cash and a cutting agent linking them to a wider drug supply.
They also recovered several mobile phones that were later analysed, revealing the extent of the gang’s dealings.
Thousands of messages were discovered on these devices detailing how drugs were being distributed, dropped off, bought and sold.
Between 24 October 2024 and 12 May 2025, sometimes hundreds of messages a day were sent from the line.
Five members of the gang went on to plead guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and cocaine.
They then appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (7 March).
Harverye, previously of Windmill Lane, Nottingham, was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Co-conspirators Jason Dawson, 54, of Bridge Court, Balderton, and Andrew Lawson, 43, of Mary’s Garden, Newark, were jailed for two years and six months, and two years and three months, respectively.
Meanwhile, Billy Williams, 26, of Hickman Grove, Collingham, was jailed for three years.
Torik Ullah, 47, of Chatham Court, Newark, was handed a two-year sentence, suspended for two years.
County Lines is a term used to describe urban gangs supplying drugs to other parts of the UK using dedicated mobile phone lines.
The gangs are likely to exploit children or vulnerable adults to move and store drugs, and they will often use violence and coercion to force people to deal their drugs.
PC Natalie Shakespeare, who led the investigation, said:
“This was a great team effort across the county lines and local neighbourhood policing team, with an excellent outcome.
“We know the customer base for dealers like Harverye is often 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 drug lines like this cause in communities is why it is a priority for the force to target and disrupt those believed to be involved.
“By taking positive enforcement action, we intend not only to safeguard those at risk, but also to disrupt the criminal activity and bring to justice those who seek to exploit some of the most vulnerable in our society.”
