Police warn county lines gangs after dealer jailed for six years

A DETECTIVE has warned that police are stepping up the war on drugs after a dealer involved in a so-called county lines operation targeting one of Yorkshire’s most affluent towns was jailed.

Concerns have been raised over criminal gangs from large urban areas which are exploiting vulnerable people and forcing them to deal drugs in smaller towns and cities.

Rommel Morgan, 24, of Ilbert Avenue, Bradford, was jailed for six years and nine months after he was arrested in Harrogate in February by North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite unit – the force’s “county lines” team.

Plain-clothed officers spotted Morgan while he appeared to be dealing drugs on Woodfield Road in the town. He attempted to flee, but officers found he had more than 200 wraps of heroin and cocaine with him.

While under investigation, Morgan was arrested again in August following reports of drug dealing on Skipton Road in Harrogate. Officers attended and inquiries led them to a flat where Morgan had been staying.

Detective Constable Tom Barker, of Harrogate’s Operation Expedite team, said: “Morgan’s tactics were classic county lines, travelling from Bradford to Harrogate to peddle his drugs and staying with local people.

“Drug dealing is causing misery in our communities, and I hope this latest case sends a clear message that we are out there watching, you might not see us, but we’re there and we will take action.”

Morgan was sentenced on Thursday at York Crown Court after he pleaded guilty in September to four counts of possessing class A drugs and two charges of possessing criminal property.