A 20-year-old man has been slammed with a three-year jail term after cops found him hoarding a stash of Class A drugs in a Wellingborough hotel room.
D’Reece Taylor, from Quaker Way, Moulton, admitted possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, plus possession of a Class B drug. The sentence was handed down at Northampton Crown Court last month (September 5).
County Lines Operation Busted
Taylor’s arrest followed the Wellingborough Neighbourhood Policing Team detaining a missing teenage boy from the West Midlands, spotted being used as a drug runner. Investigations into the vulnerable lad’s exploitation led officers straight to Taylor’s hotel room.
When cops caught Taylor trying to chuck items out the window, he was instantly arrested. Officers seized Class A and B drugs, drug-dealing kit, £400 in cash, and several phones linking him to a county lines network.
Justice Served and Community Protected
Besides drug charges, Taylor faced another allegation of facilitating someone’s travel for exploitation. However, the court left that on file after a not guilty plea.
At sentencing, Taylor was told to pay £156 upon release. All seized drugs, phones, and paraphernalia were destroyed. The court also sent the £400 cash to the Northamptonshire Community Fund to support local charities.
Detective Constable Vicky Wiley said: “Thanks to our neighbourhood officers, a vulnerable missing person was protected and a county line was shut down. We know drug harm is a huge worry locally, and this case shows we’re cracking down hard.”
“This conviction should warn anyone thinking of setting up shop in Northamptonshire — we will catch you.”
