Drugs gang used Airbnb flat as base
ACOCAINE and heroin dealer was operating from an Airbnb rental property, a court has heard.
When officers detained Nathan Young following a chase they found a key in his pocket which led them to a flat containing drug dealing paraphernalia and hundreds of pounds in cash.
The defendant, who had come to Swansea from Sussex, was jailed for four and a half years.
The 22-year-old was part of a so-called “county lines” network which sees organised criminal gangs from larger cities in England extending their drug dealing operations into smaller towns and cities around the UK.
Young, of Manor Fields, Horsham, West Sussex, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and to possession of heroin.
The plea was on the basis that in March 2020 he had been homeless and through a friend had met a man who had offered him somewhere to stay. Without money to pay the rent he said the man told him he could stay if he started supplying drugs and, knowing the man was “dangerous”, he was concerned at the repercussions if he did not go along with the idea.
Swansea Crown Court heard Young has previous convictions for offences including possession of a bladed article, battery, and robbery as well as for possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply from
Lewes Crown Court.
Stephen Thomas, for Young, said the defendant was himself a heroin user and had been dealing under the direction of others as part of a county lines operation.
Young was sentenced to a total of four and a half years in prison.
He will serve up to half that period before being released on licence.