Nottingham County Lines Gang Busted: Drugs, Exploitation, and Prison Plot
For two months, Forrest Bentick ran a drug trafficking line between Nottingham and Banbury, Oxfordshire. He was the foot soldier for gang boss Shekeil Sands, who masterminded the illegal operation from behind bars.
Children and Vulnerable Used as Drug Mules
The gang deliberately exploited children and vulnerable people to move drugs across regions. This ruthless tactic was a key part of their illicit supply chain.
Massive Police Sting Brings Down Crime Network
The crime spree came to a halt after a coordinated crackdown involving Nottinghamshire Police, East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), Derbyshire Constabulary, Thames Valley Police, and Nottinghamshire County Council. Around 20 gang members were charged following the complex investigation.
The operation was Nottinghamshire Police’s first to secure modern slavery convictions during a county lines bust, highlighting the severity of the exploitation involved.
Gang Boss and Associates Jailed for Over 35 Years
Last year, Shekeil Sands and his cohorts were handed a combined 35-plus years behind bars. Bentick, the final member to be sentenced, pled guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs and was jailed for three years and five months on 27 March 2023 at Nottingham Crown Court.
Detective Inspector Mark Adas, EMSOU, said: “Back in November 2022, 21 people pleaded guilty to offences involving drugs, prisons and firearms. Sands used 30 hidden burner phones with long-standing county lines numbers to set up deals and communicate with his gang.
“It’s great to see another gang member behind bars. The strength of the evidence left Bentick no choice but to plead guilty.
“This case shows we will work relentlessly to prosecute drug dealers and protect young and vulnerable people from exploitation.”
