A MAJOR drugs dealer has been jailed for eight years for leading a sophisticated drug supply operation in Southampton.

Jammoy Bent, 25, of Golden Grove, St Mary’s, Southampton, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine in the city over an 11 month-period.

The drugs supplied between June 2015 and April 2016 weighed three and a half kilos and had a value of £676,000, Portsmouth Crown Court was told.

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Bent was described in court as the leader of a sophisticated operation.

Police discovered, and gathered evidence against, the drugs ring whilst investigating the murder of Michael Freshwater, 49, who was stabbed to death last April in a flat used by two of the gang.

The killing is currently unsolved. No-one has been charged in connection with father-of-four Mr Freshwater’s death although three people were arrested.

The court heard that most of the gang were Londoners who decided to try to muscle in on the drugs trade in Southampton. Through intimidation they took over the homes of drug users.

They were convicted by a jury after a trial at Portsmouth.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the other members of the gang were:

  • Tristan Pope, 22, and Kevin Suika, 23, based at a flat in Westridge Road, Portswood. Pope was jailed for eight years and Suika for six years;
  • Daniel Sadler, 34, of King George’s Avenue, Shirley. He was given a two-year suspended sentence along with a 30-day rehabilitation requirement;
  • Dantai Thompson, 18, of no fixed abode, was jailed for two years;
  • Daniel Ferrett, 29, of no fixed abode, was imprisoned for four and half years.

In a statement released after the verdict, Detective Inspector Simon Baker said: “We are committed to tackling drug dealing in Southampton.

“If you believe drug-related activity is going on in your neighbourhood, report to us, in confidence, via 101.”