Three guilty of drugs supply conspiracy

TWO youths and a 29-year-old man have been found guilty of a conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin in Devon.

Dean Hooson, from Exeter, and the two young defendants, who cannot be named, were part of a group involved in an agreement to supply drugs on the streets of the county between October 2020 and February 2022.

Eleven more people involved in the conspiracy, including seven youths, have already pleaded guilty to supplying drugs as part of the 16-month plot.

The last three defendants have been standing trial at Exeter Crown, and the jury returned guilty verdicts yesterday. Judge Timothy Rose adjourned the case for sentence.

The court heard details of a ‘County Lines’ operation originating in Liverpool and supplying a network in the South West.

The jury heard that police collected extensive phone evidence. The two young defendants claimed they had no choice and were modern slaves. Hooson denied any part in the conspiracy.

Afterwards, Ann Hampshire, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a complex case involving a drugs supply network sourcing cocaine and heroin from Liverpool to be sold in Devon, principally in Exeter, Torbay and North Devon. The criminal network was very active, with those involved boasting of taking £1,000 per day for the drugs they sold.

“These convictions reflect our commitment to dismantling organised crime groups who seek to profit from a trade that causes misery to communities.”