Man sentenced for County Lines and burglary offences

fficers from Project Medusa have today (Friday, 24 June) welcomed the sentence of Lucas Devereux in connection with a County Lines and separate burglary investigation.

Lucas Devereux, 20 years of Ranworth Place, Norris Green was sentenced to four years and 10 months in a Young Offenders Institute after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and four burglary offences.

Devereux was arrested in July 2021, after Project Medusa officers executed a warrant at his address in Norris Green. This warrant followed an investigation into a County Line dealing into Widnes, Cheshire.

Project Medusa is the force's response to tackle the issue of County Lines.

Devereux also pleaded guilty to a string of four burglaries and theft of motor vehicles, that took place between December 2020 and February 2021 in the Kirkby, Southport and Norris Green areas.

Speaking on his sentence, Inspector Gary Stratton said: "The offenders who operate these County Lines do so, to the detriment of everyone around them - they exploit young and vulnerable people to store, transport and deal drugs and blight the communities in which they operate.

"Project Medusa is committed to cutting these lines and putting the organised criminals who operate them before the courts, as we have done today. We are also working to remove those who have been exploited by these groups, to give them a choice and a chance to make a different life for themselves.

"I'd urge everyone to familiarise themselves with the signs of someone getting involved in this type of criminality - if you spot the signs, you may be able to help, visit www.eyes-open.co.uk for more information."

He added: "The force understands that being a victim of burglary can have a massive impact on a person's life, that's why we work to fully investigate these offences, so those responsible can be brought to justice, as we have done here."