Five drug lines shut down in major crackdown on dealers in Skegness
Nine people have been charged
Five county lines drug networks have been shut down and nine people charged following a major police operation targeting drug dealing in Skegness.
Officers from Lincolnshire Police worked with the Metropolitan Police's County Lines Taskforce to raid addresses over eight days between 23 June and 8 July.
The operation led to 10 arrests, with nine people charged with drug offences.
Police also seized cocaine, heroin, cannabis and cash. The exact amounts haven't been released as court cases are ongoing, but police say they are 'sizeable'.
The charges
James Rawson, 36, of Churchill Avenue, Skegness, is charged with being concerned in the supply of drugs class A – cocaine, and class B – cannabis. He's on bail with conditions ahead of a court appearance on 10 August.
Andre Stewart, 25, of Destiny Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs - crack cocaine and heroin, one count of possession with intent to supply class B drugs – cannabis. He's due to be sentenced on 24 August.
Connor Teft, 26, of Fainlight Terrace, Drummond Road, Skegness, has been charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug - crack cocaine and heroin. He was in breach of previous bail conditions so was recalled to prison ahead of a plea trial hearing on 6 August.
Christopher Cook, 25, of Albany Road, Skegness, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug – crack cocaine, and with possession of cannabis. He was remanded to prison and is due to be sentenced on 21 August.
Josh Lowey, 20, of Wainfleet Road, Skegness, has pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug – crack cocaine. He has been bailed from court on an electronic tag until his sentencing on 21 August.
Cohen Handley, 18, of Danial Close, Skegness pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs – cocaine. He's on conditional bail pending sentencing on 10 September. Watch the video below of Handley's arrest.
Aidan Duke, 28, of Cecil Avenue, Skegness, has been charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug – crack cocaine and heroin, being concerned in the production of a class A drug – cocaine. He's due to enter a plea at a hearing scheduled for 7 August.
Logan Hartley, 33, of St Albans Road, Arnold, Nottingham, has been charged with three counts of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug – crack cocaine, cocaine, and heroin. He is due to enter a plea on 7 August.
Wade Smith, 40, of Gedney Avenue, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug (cocaine) and was recalled to prison. He's due to appear at a mention hearing on 14 August.
Other arrests
A 20-year-old man from Louth was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs - class A – cocaine, and class B – cannabis. He's currently on bail as police investigate.
A 41-year-old from Skegness was also dealt with for breaching conditions of a court warrant.
"Significant disruption"
Detective Inspector Daniel Gstrein, who led the operation, said: "This recent enforcement activity has delivered significant disruption to drug lines operating across the area, but we know the problem has not gone away.
"Our work never stops in the background.
"We will continue to pursue offenders, dismantle criminal networks and protect our communities from the misery and exploitation that drug-related crime brings."