A County Lines drug dealer from London who was involved in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in Swindon has been jailed.
Officers from Wiltshire Police’s East Swindon Neighbourhood Team and Operation Fortitude, worked closely with officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Orochi to investigate the “Ben” county line.
A detailed investigation earlier this year revealed that Shamar Pennant, 37, of Camden, London, was actively involved with this line, which was supplying Class A drugs to vulnerable users in the Swindon area.
He was arrested in Newbury in July of this year carrying a quantity of crack cocaine and heroin, and, following a search of his home address in London, police also seized around £1,000 in cash and a number of items of designer clothing, including a bag worth more than £10,000.
Pennant pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and yesterday appeared at Swindon Crown Court for sentencing.
He was jailed for a total of two years and four months.
PC Craig Head, from Operation Fortitude, said: “Throughout this investigation we worked closely with our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Service to target drug dealers involved in bringing in Class A drugs from London to the Swindon area.
“These sorts of County Lines groups not only peddle illegal drugs, which cause serious misery for vulnerable addicts and users, but also bring with them the associated exploitation, anti-social behaviour and violence.
“We are committed to being proactive in disrupting this criminal activity and making the streets of Swindon safer in the process.”
