A prolific county lines drug dealer supplying Class A drugs across Wiltshire has been jailed for seven years following an investigation by Wiltshire Police.
Richard Morgan, 33, was arrested after officers from the Swindon Local Policing Tasking Team carried out a warrant at an address in Church Road, Bath, on 10 September last year. The operation was supported by the Metropolitan Police’s Op Orochi team.
Morgan was suspected of running the ‘Professor’ drugs line between April and September, supplying crack cocaine and heroin across Wiltshire.
While no drugs were found at the address, officers seized mobile phones which linked Morgan to the Professor line. Police say the line regularly sent bulk text messages advertising Class A drugs for sale, operating from Bath and areas in the west of the county.
Further enquiries connected Morgan directly to the line, including CCTV footage showing him topping it up. Investigators also discovered attempts to disguise references to drugs as t-shirts in communications linked to the operation.
Morgan was charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. Following a trial at Swindon Crown Court, he was found guilty and sentenced on Wednesday 14 January to seven years in prison.
PC Guy, from the Swindon Local Policing Tasking Team, said Morgan’s actions had caused significant harm to communities across Wiltshire.
“Morgan is a classic county lines drug dealer whose activities have a damaging impact on local communities,” he said. “He has previously served time for drug dealing but clearly chose to continue offending following his release.
“Our investigation into the Professor line allowed us to link the operation directly back to him, despite efforts to disguise what was taking place.
“He’s now been jailed again after refusing to admit his offences.”
PC Guy also praised the support provided by partner agencies during the investigation.
“I’d like to thank the Metropolitan Police Op Orochi team and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit for their assistance, which has helped ensure a prolific dealer is now back behind bars.”
Wiltshire Police say they remain committed to disrupting county lines activity and protecting communities from the harm caused by drug-related crime.
