Four sentenced for County Lines drug dealing in Cumbria
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We are today, Tuesday 27th April, welcoming the sentencing of four people involved in County Lines organised crime.
The defendants were sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday (Monday) to a total of more than 21 years following a joint investigation between Merseyside Police and Cumbria Police into the dealing of Class A drugs in the Barrow area.
All the defendants were sentenced for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine).
(Main picture) Jack Hartley, 27, of Maddocks Street, Liverpool, was sentenced to 11 years and three months
Cameron Beedles, 21, of no fixed address, but from the Merseyside area and pictured below, was sentenced to five years and four months.
Brendan Purcell, 46, of Earle Street, Barrow, (pictured below) was sentenced to four years and 10 months.
Amy Johnson, 27, of Cowper Road, Liverpool, was given a two year prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.
A 17-year-old from the Merseyside area was previously given a Youth Rehabilitation Order for his role in the conspiracy.
The gang were part of a Merseyside Organised Crime Group involved in the establishing of sophisticated enterprises selling Class A drugs – heroin and cocaine – in South Cumbria.
On 3rd January 2020 officers witnessed a suspected drug deal in Barrow. They forced entry to an address and found Cameron Beedles inside. He was searched and found in possession of a plastic egg containing 17 wraps of crack cocaine together with a large amount of cash and train tickets between Liverpool and Barrow.
On 16 April 2020, police in Cumbria and Merseyside executed simultaneous warrants at three addresses – Earle Street in Barrow and Cowper Road and Maddox Street in Liverpool.
Brendan Purcell was arrested at Earle Street on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Amy Johnson and Jack Hartley were arrested at Cowper Road.
Merseyside Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Parry said: “Today’s sentencing follows a lengthy investigation working alongside our colleagues at Cumbria Police and Wirral Children's Social Care to investigate County Lines drug dealing between Liverpool and Barrow.
"County Lines drug dealing blights communities and the lives of those taking drugs and those who are often coerced into dealing them on behalf of organised crime groups.
“Our work to remove these people from our streets and bring them to justice continues on a daily basis and I would ask anyone who has information about this kind of activity to come forward so action can be taken."