Stevenage drug dealer jailed for five years after county lines probe
A drug dealer behind a major county lines operation in Stevenage has been jailed for five years and four months.
Ryan Lee, 24, of Wildwood Lane, Stevenage, was arrested in May following an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s County Lines Investigation Unit.
Officers seized Class A and B drugs worth over £5,000 and a large quantity of cash.
Appearing at St Albans Crown Court on July 2, Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and possession of criminal property. He was already on bail for earlier drug and weapon offences at the time of his arrest.
Detective Sergeant Chris Cowell said: “Lee was well known for running the ‘Sav’ county line. Disrupting this operation will significantly reduce drug activity and associated crime in the area.”
He added that county lines gangs often exploit vulnerable people and encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity.
County lines operations involve drugs being transported from cities into smaller towns, often using children or at-risk adults. The practice of ‘cuckooing’—taking over vulnerable residents’ homes—is common.
Anyone with information about drug activity can report it via herts.police.uk, by calling 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.