Six people have been convicted and given sentences totalling more than 14 years in prison, following an investigation into the supply of Class A drugs in Portsmouth
The Operation Fortress investigation ran between December 2014 and March 8, 2015 and focused on a family-run network of drug dealers who supplied heroin and crack cocaine in Portsmouth.
The six people received the following sentences:
- Kaylon WALLACE, 25, from Southend Lane, London, will serve six years and two months in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
- Hannah KNAPP, 26 of Meadows Way, London, will serve three years in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs
- Angel McKAY, 17 from Beckenham, London, will serve two years and eight months in prison for conspiracy to supply class A drugs
- Eduardo RODRIGUES, 22, will serve two years and eight months in prison for possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, and a 6 month sentence to run concurrently for possession of class A drugs.
- Taisha SAMUELS, 19 of no fixed address, received a suspended sentence of two years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
- Annette COLLINS, 38, of Stubbington Avenue, Portsmouth, received was issued with a twelve month community order and was ordered to receive drug rehabilitation for allowing premises to be used for drug related offences, and possession of Class A – Heroin and Crack Cocaine
In total eight people were found guilty of drug offences during this drugs operation; two people are already serving sentences for drug offences.
DC Lamb, said: “This is another example of police in Portsmouth tackling drug-dealing networks. The local community has seen the benefit of the work of Operation Fortress now, and in recent months, and we will continue to robustly deal with drug dealers in the city”.
Chief Inspector James Pegler said: “We will not tolerate drug dealing in Portsmouth. I would like to reassure the local community that we will continue to work with our partners to restrict the supply of drugs and reduce the demand for them in Portsmouth and make it a hostile place for drug dealers.
“I would urge anyone with information about drug dealing in Portsmouth to contact us on 101, quoting Op Fortress.”
Operation Fortress sees police and other agencies working together to reduce the harm of drug-related violence. One of the aims is to restrict the supply of drugs and officers are keen to hear from anyone who is concerned about illegal drugs or drug-related crime in their neighbourhood.
