Five more men sentenced as police tear apart drug networks operating in Southampton

A total of 41 people have been sentenced to more than 130 years behind bars as part of Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Shield, with five of those at Southampton Crown Court yesterday.

The five men – Frank Nsereko, Joshua Whitter, Peter Roberts, Craig Morris and Jacob Hemans – known as the ‘Beer’ network, or the ‘Leroy’ network, were operating what is known as a ‘county line’ from south London into Hampshire, where they were sending teenagers to Southampton to manage the day-to-day operation of the business whilst Morris and Whitter remained in London and directed them in dealing.

Whilst the drug phone remained in London, the network also had a local flat in White Star Place, Southampton, from which they dispatched their younger runners to supply users on the city’s streets.

A significant amount of drugs, cash and associated paraphernalia was recovered when officers executed simultaneous warrants in London and Southampton, including what was described as a crack cocaine production line.

Police say the extensive 18-month investigation into these networks, run in partnership with the National Crime Agency, South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, Metropolitan Police Service and officers from Merseyside Police, uncovered other groups dealing Class A drugs in Southampton.

Twelve people, identified by officers as vulnerable drug users being exploited by the networks, who had begun supplying drugs were referred to drug-rehabilitation and support services.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, from the Serious Organised Crime Unit which drove Operation Shield, said: “This was an extensive, pro-active investigation by Hampshire Constabulary in partnership with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, Merseyside Police, the Metropolitan Police Service and National Crime Agency into the organised supply of class A drugs into Southampton.

“We hope this work sends a clear message that drug supply and the harm it causes to communities will not be tolerated in Southampton and that Hampshire Constabulary is committed to tackling such criminality.

“Not only have we prosecuted those who have supplied drugs, we have targeted their assets and will continue to do so using all of the legislation available to us.

“County Lines is a national problem and law enforcement agencies across the UK work together to disrupt these networks and to safeguard those vulnerable people affected by them. The impact drug supply has on individuals and communities cannot be underestimated and our work to disrupt this activity will continue.

“We know from past experience that when one drug network is removed, another one is waiting in the wings to fill that gap. We are waiting in the wings also, and we won’t stop pursuing these crime networks.

“I would urge communities to report any suspicious activity which may indicate a new network is operating in their town or city. Signs to look out for are new or regular visitors to an address of a vulnerable person or drug addict, hire cars parked in areas which are not linked to local residents, or young unaccompanied teenagers travelling into towns or cities from outside the area often using public transport like trains or coaches. They are likely to be trafficked into the city to be used as drug runners.”

On Wednesday, the Daily Echo reported Liverpool-based network which had been flooding Southampton with class A drug was torn apart by police as part of Operation Shield.

Yesterday Nsereko, aged 23, of Albury Court, Mitcham, in Surrey, was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply crack cocaine. He was found in possession heroin and crack cocaine.

Joshua Whitter, aged 24, of Bennetts Close, Mitcham, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply crack cocaine. A search of his home uncovered a crack cocaine production line in the kitchen and the 'Beer / Leroy' drug network phone.

Peter Roberts, aged 18, of Bordersley Road, South Malden, London, was handed a two-year jail term, suspended for two years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Craig Morris, aged 27, of Clitheroe Road, London, was jailed for nine years and 7 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. A search of his home found 28g of cocaine and 329g of various cutting agents, along with £5000 cash, scales and packaging.

Jacob Hemans, aged 18 of Haslemere Avenue, Mitcham, was jailed for two years and three months for conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.

A 16-year-old boy from Twickenham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and will be sentenced separately at a later date.