Gypsy Drug Line Ringleaders Caught and Caged After Crackdown
Mario Sala, 33, from Prince Albert Road, and Ewyn Denecker, 33, of Osborne Road, have been slammed with hefty jail terms after admitting to a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The pair were caught in a police operation targeting the notorious Gypsy drug line between Havant and Portsmouth.
Undercover Bust Unravels 21-Month Heroin and Crack Network
Following months of dogged investigation, officers launched a series of proactive raids in March 2022. They arrested Sala and Denecker, who had masterminded a supply chain dealing heroin and crack cocaine across seven separate drug lines over nearly two years.
Police also seized multiple phones linked directly to the Gypsy drug network, which helped build the case against the duo.
Sentences Hit the Court of Appeal – Jail Time Nearly Doubled
Initially, Sala was jailed for 4½ years, and Denecker got 3 years and 9 months after pleading guilty in September. But the crown wasn’t satisfied.
Their sentences were challenged under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme. Yesterday (Thursday 17 November), the Court of Appeal agreed both sentences were far too soft. Sala’s time behind bars shot up to 8 years, while Denecker was bumped to 6 years.
Police Send Strong Warning to Drug Dealers
“Class A supply is linked to serious violence and ruins lives,” said Police Constable Peter Kurton, who led the probe. “This sentence should send a strong message to anyone thinking of dealing drugs around here – we will not stand for it.”
“We urge the public to report any drug activity. Every tip helps us build the intelligence we need to crack down hard and keep our communities safe.”
If you spot suspicious drug activity in your area, don’t stay silent. Contact the police and help bring dealers to justice. Even small pieces of information can make a big difference.
