Two Bedfordshire drug dealers jailed after exploiting vulnerable young people
They'll serve a combined 15 years behind bars
Two drug dealers have been jailed for a combined total of over 15 years, after exploiting vulnerable people in Bedfordshire.
Rushden man Tyrone Baker, 26, headed the drug supply line in Biggleswade and Sandy along with his right-hand man Oliver Hamilton, who's 21 and from Higham Ferrers.
Baker was estimated to be making more than £70,000 year from dealing drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis.
The court heard how both Baker and Hamilton groomed four children and exploited a vulnerable adult, using their homes to hid drugs and cash.
Baker, of Carisbrooke Road, Rushden, was sentenced to nine years for conspiracy to supply Class A heroin and cannabis as well as being concerned in the supply of cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis.
Hamilton, of Russell Way, Higham Ferrers, was sentenced to six years and two months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, and heroin.
Declan Welch, of Coopers Close, Sandy, who was previously charged with Baker and Hamilton, was given a community order of 18 months for 150 hours.
Detective Sergeant Tim Plater from Bedfordshire Police, who led the investigation, said: “I’m pleased with the judge’s strong stance and sentences in this case.
“Violence, exploitation and organised crime are inextricably linked. These three preyed on the vulnerabilities of children and adults, enslaving them in a cycle of criminal exploitation.
“Drug dealing comes with very real dangers, both in terms of police taking action against you but also gang rivalry. These three passed these risks onto people far more vulnerable than them in order to protect themselves.
“Buying gifts, promising cash and feigning friendship are common and convincing tactics employed by exploiters like this.
"But the messages between these three reveal their true intent: those they exploited were just cogs in the system of their criminal enterprise, dispensable commodities which could be cast aside in their relentless pursuit of more and more drugs money.
“Knives were a menacing threat at every stage to stop anyone escaping from their grasp, and I firmly believe this group would have continued this model and exploited more children if we had not stepped in.
“We will relentlessly pursue those who exploit children and vulnerable adults to run drugs and prosecute them, even when victims don’t wish to come forward.”