Eight Jailed Over Basingstoke ‘G-Man Line’ Class A Drugs Ring
Eight members of a “slick, professional and extensive” Class A drugs gang have been locked up for a total of 36 years. The Basingstoke-based county lines operation, known as the G-Man line, saw dealers peddling heroin and cocaine across the area.
Armed Gang Member Caught With Loaded Sawed-Off Shotgun
Among those sentenced was Jack Oliveira, 21, who was caught by police with a cocked and loaded sawn-off 12-bore shotgun. Officers stopped two gang members near Tewkesbury Close in Basingstoke on December 9, 2018. Oliveira fled but was caught after a chase. His rucksack contained the deadly weapon, and mobile phone footage showed him loading the gun inside a gang safe house.
‘Transport Division’ Private Hire Driver Helped Run Drugs
The gang’s operations were aided by Matt Temple, a licensed private hire driver dubbed the “Transport Division” by the judge. Temple, who battled a cocaine habit himself, ferried dealers and runners around at all hours, earning cash and drugs for his role.
Judge and Police Praise Officers and Warn of Drug Trade Dangers
“This was outstanding work. The sheer scale of this enquiry was just one of the complicating factors,” said His Honour Judge Barnett. “People who take these drugs ruin their lives. They are life-destroying substances and those who supply them deserve society’s condemnation.”
Basingstoke District Commander Chief Inspector Karen McManus said: “These sentences show we will do everything to stop violent drugs networks targeting our communities. Thanks to our officers’ persistence and community support, this dangerous gang and their weapons have been taken off our streets.”
Sentences Handed Down at Winchester Crown Court
- Jeffrey Zani, 20: 7 years 4 months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Louis Robinson-Ventour, 20: 6 years 8 months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Matthew Temple, 47: 4 years 8 months for conspiracy to supply; plus 4 months for driving while disqualified and 7-year driving ban.
- Jack Oliveira, 21: 3 years for conspiracy; plus 5 years for possession of a sawn-off shotgun (sentences concurrent).
- Abdirahman Abdi, 21: 2 years 8 months for conspiracy in Basingstoke; 4 years 4 months concurrent for conspiracy in Hounslow.
- Dexta Newman-Parsons, 18: 20 months suspended sentence plus 100 hours Community Payback (youngest arrested at 15).
- Mohammed Zazai, 20: 5 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin; plus 2 years concurrent for cannabis supply.
- Ayodeji Ade-Olisaemeka, 20: 3 years for multiple counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Operation Fortress Cracks Down on County Lines
Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Fortress, targeting drug-related harm across the region, led to dismantling this organised county lines network. County lines involve criminal gangs extending urban drug dealing into smaller towns and using single phone lines protected by violence.
Chief Inspector McManus urged the public to report drug activity at hampshire.police.uk or 101.
