A 21-year-old man, Lethobo Sithole, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of supplying Class A drugs, specifically crack cocaine and heroin, in Merseyside. The verdict was delivered at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, July 18, as part of Project Medusa—an ongoing investigation into County Lines’s drug supply in the region.
The arrest and subsequent conviction of Sithole stemmed from a search conducted by officers at an address in Birkenhead on Thursday, January 19. The search was originally related to separate drug offences, but during the operation, officers discovered Sithole at the location. Further investigation led to the seizure of a mobile phone in his possession, which revealed his involvement in the supply and sale of controlled drugs.
Sithole was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences and later interviewed by Merseyside Police officers. Following the interview process, he faced charges related to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, both Class A substances. Sithole was remanded into custody and ultimately pleaded guilty to all charges during his court appearance.
Detective Inspector Gary Stratton, commenting on the case, highlighted the proactive efforts of Project Medusa, an operation that collaborates across police jurisdictions to combat organised crime and drug supply networks. He expressed hope that Sithole’s sentence serves as a clear message about the determination of law enforcement to remove individuals involved in drug trafficking and organised crime from communities, emphasising the destructive impact such activities have on lives.
The fight against organised crime and drug supply continues to be a priority for law enforcement agencies, with a focus on dismantling County Lines operations and preventing individuals from being coerced into drug dealing on behalf of criminal gangs. Detective Inspector Stratton urged anyone with information about such activities to come forward, encouraging the public to report any knowledge or suspicions to Merseyside Police via direct message on Twitter (@MerPolCC), by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111, or by calling 999 in an emergency.
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