County lines gang sentenced over drugs operation

Top row, from left to right: Jamie Proctor, Edward Quigley, Tyler Murphy, Nigel Bestford. Bottom row, from left to right: Calvin Garwe, Chloe Levy, Lee Cook and Liam Bolt

Eleven people have been sentenced for being part of a county lines drug dealing gang.

Norwich Crown Court heard how the Lewis line was responsible for selling 4.3kg of Class A drugs over a seven-month period, with an estimated street value of up to £300,000.

Norfolk Constabulary said a "complex and lengthy investigation" revealed how the gang dealt crack cocaine and heroin out of three addresses in Norwich.

The force said it "welcomed" Tuesday's sentencing and that the fight to bring county lines gang members to justice would continue.

The court heard how more than 67,000 calls were made and 12,000 text messages were sent from the Lewis line between December 2021 and June 2022.

Dealers sent texts to customers claiming that they were "actv all day/night best of both", meaning they were accepting orders.

County lines refers to drug operations run from urban bases that stretch out to more rural areas, using young and vulnerable people as couriers.

Dozens of wraps of crack cocaine and heroin were seized by police

Surveillance of the gang showed that drug dealing was taking place out of a flat in Burleigh Tower, in Munnings Road, Norwich.

The force said that following a police raid, where drugs were found, the gang members then moved their operation to a property on Smeat Steet, Bowthorpe.

Officers carried out a warrant at the address on 27 January 2022 and arrested three gang members.

Almost 30 wraps of heroin, eight wraps of crack cocaine and more than £1,000 in cash was seized.

Police said drugs and cash were thrown from a window at Burleigh Tower following a raid

The court heard how forensic analysis of mobile phone data revealed how Liam Bolt controlled the Lewis line from December to May, before it was taken over by Tyler Murphy and Edward Quigley.

Det Insp Craig Bidwell said: "Class-A drug dealing fuels serious criminality, destroys the lives of all involved and has a significant impact on our communities.

"Norfolk Police remain committed to identifying, locating, and pursuing those responsible for supplying drugs whilst supporting those who are vulnerable to exploitation."

The eight people sentenced for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs were:

• Liam Bolt, 20, from Homelea Crescent, Lingwood, jailed for five years and seven months

• Jamie Proctor, 20, of Maidstone Road, Norwich, jailed for three years and nine months

• Tyler Murphy, 22 of Earlham Green Lane, Norwich, jailed for three years, nine months

• Edward Quigley, 23, of Petunia Court, Wymondham, jailed for three years, four months

• Calvin Garwe, 23, of The Ridings, Poringland, jailed for two years, 146 days

• Lee Cook, 42, of Wilks Farm Drive, Sprowston, jailed for two years, three months

• George Doyle, 22 and from King Street, Norwich, sentenced to one year 10 months in custody, suspended for 18 months

• Scott Bodily, 43 and from Snowdrop Street, Wymondham, sentenced to two years in custody, suspended for 18 months.

Two people were jailed for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs:

• Nigel Bestford, 44, from Munnings Road, Norwich, jailed for two years, four months

• Chloe Levy, 33, from Munnings Road, Norwich, jailed for two years, 20 weeks

Don Coughlin, 52 and from Lefroy Road, Norwich, admitted allowing his premises to be used in the supply of Class A drugs.

He was sentenced to seven months in custody, suspended for 18 months.