Drug dealer jailed after being caught with firearm

Marlon Barnes was found to be the controller of a local drugs line

A man has been jailed for more than six years after he was caught with a firearm while running a local Class A drugs line in Swindon.

Marlon Barnes, 20, of Ramsbury Avenue, Penhill, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate and possession of criminal property.

Appearing at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, Barnes was sentenced to six years and six months imprisonment.

Wiltshire Police said Barnes was found to be the controller of the 'Caesar' local drugs line, which had distributed Class A drugs throughout Swindon between December 2023 and March 2024.

During this time, the drugs line is thought to have made around £75,000, said Wiltshire Police.

The force said officers from the Serious Youth Gang Violence unit executed a warrant at Barnes' home address on 7 March after an investigation spanning many months.

Officers found key mobile phones linking the 'Caesar' drugs line to Barnes, as well as approximately 250 wraps of Class A drugs, £2,500 in cash, a revolver firearm which had been modified to fire live ammunition and homemade ammunition.

Barnes was charged with various offences, to which he subsequently pleaded guilty.

PC White, of the Serious Youth Gang Violence unit, said: “Drug dealing has a huge impact on our communities here in Swindon.

“Often those involved will target those who are most vulnerable in our communities and will exploit them in order to get a grip of the local area in order to supply drugs.

“The actions of Barnes are barbaric and destroys families and communities."