A Liverpool dealer has been jailed for being part of a county lines Organised Crime Group.
Robert Hadwin was found to be part of a drug gang that sourced drugs from Merseyside and then sold them to drug users across Devon. The 31-year-old, of Elleray Drive, Dingle, used drug lines called "Ramzy" , "Scouse Terry", "AJ" and "Benny" to supply cocaine and heroin.
In attempt to avoid detection, the name of the lines would change regularly. However Devon police found that 35 drugs lines were connected to the OCG, with over 3,000 messages advertising drugs for sale found.
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Over the course of the investigation they found that dealer lines were making around £2,000 a day. Hadwin was among 14 other teenagers and adults sentenced following the investigation which covered a 16-month period between October 2020 and February 2022. He was sentenced to 6 years 9 months.
Ann Hampshire, of the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, said: "This was a complex case involving a drugs supply network sourcing cocaine and heroin from Liverpool to be sold in Devon, principally in Exeter, Torbay and North Devon. The criminal network was very active, with those involved boasting of taking £1000 per day for drugs they sold. These convictions reflect our commitment to dismantling organised crime groups who seek to profit from a trade that causes misery to communities."
Officers also seized and reviewed over 100 mobile phones and 27 weapons including knives, imitation firearms, and CS spray. Ann added: "This was an unusual case involving some young people who took on leading roles in the criminality, instructing other youths to work on their behalf in the illegal drugs trade. It was particularly concerning to find that some of the youths also carried weapons.
"This kind of behaviour risks serious harm to the person carrying the weapon and those who they may encounter. Communication evidence supported by police observations and drug seizures provided vital evidence that enabled the police and CPS to build a strong case to secure these convictions and shut down the criminal network."
The sentences passed to the offenders are:
- Four teenagers were given Youth Rehabilitation Orders
- Three teenagers were given Youth Referral Orders
- James O’Reilly, aged 29, of Old Quarry Drive, Exminster, was sentenced to 12 years
- Robert Hadwin, aged 31, of Elleray Drive, Dingle, was sentenced to 6 years 9 months
- Liam Rhodes, aged 21, originally from the Tiverton area, was sentenced to 26 months
- Alfie Smith, aged 21, originally from the Exeter area was sentenced to 20 months
- Colby Seatherton-Hill, aged 19, originally from the Tiverton area, was given an 18-month suspended sentence.
- Alice Shotter, aged 32, of Exwick Road, Exeter, and an 18-year-old man from Exeter were given 20-month suspended sentences.
Two further adults await sentencing in the coming weeks.
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