Nine people sentenced to 47 years for county lines operation
They were arrested in November 2020.
In a joint operation between officers from the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and Warwickshire Police, nine people have been sentenced for being involved in the supply of class A drugs in Nuneaton.
All nine were operating the CJ drugs cross-county line between Coventry and Nuneaton, which was first identified in 2019.
The investigation took place over three years and identified the nine members, who had operated through two national lockdowns at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enough evidence was gathered to arrest the group in November 2020. They were charged, and all nine defendants pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court.
They were sentenced on 2 May, receiving a combined total of 47 years in prison.
Jordan Jennings of Gilfil Road Nuneaton was sentenced on two charges of conspiring to supply Class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Aaron Davies, 25 of Biscay Drive in Portishead, was sentenced on two charges of conspiring to supply class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin, as well as failure to surrender to the court having been released on bail.
Davies received 10 years and three months in prison.
Rory James, 29 of Gilfil Road in Nuneaton, was sentenced on two charges (conspiring to supply crack and heroin) to eight years in prison.
Connor Jennings, 26 of Camden Street in Coventry, was sentenced to three charges of conspiring to supply drugs – heroin, crack, and cannabis.
Jennings received six years and three months in prison.
Simon Jones, 34 of Wood Lane in Old Arley, was sentenced on two charges of conspiring to supply crack and heroin and one charge of failure to appear at court after bail, receiving three years and three months in prison.
For engaging in telephone calls facilitating the supply of drugs, Eimear Judge, 22 of Woodway Close in Coventry, was sentenced for participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, for which she received a suspended sentenced of 12 months, suspended for 18 months.
Judge is also required to participate in 15 days’ worth of rehabilitation activities and has an unpaid work requirement of 100 hours within the next 12 months.
Simon Lynch, 58 of Woburn Drive in Nuneaton, was sentenced on two charges of supplying class A drugs (heroin and crack), receiving a suspended sentence of two years suspended for 18 months.
Lynch is also required to participate in 25 days’ worth of rehabilitation activities and 175 hours of unpaid work over the next twelve months.
Steven Sherlock, 41 of Camden Street in Coventry, was sentenced to one charge of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, for which he received a one-year suspended sentence, suspended for one year.
Sherlock is also required to carry out 130 hours of unpaid work over the next year.
Amy Steele, 38 of Church Road in Nuneaton, was sentenced on two charges of conspiring to supply class A drugs (heroin and crack) resulting in a two-year suspended sentence, suspended for two years.
Steele will also be required to carry out 30 days of rehabilitation activities, treatment for drug dependency, and 150 hours of unpaid work over the next year.
A West Midlands Police representative stated “This was a significant case and we would like to take a moment to thank all of the officers involved for their hard work in breaking up the CJ line and stripping their negative influence out of the West Midlands and Warwickshire.”
DCI Richard Brown of Warwickshire Police's Serious Organised and Acquisitive Crime team said “There’s nothing better than a plan coming together. This operation has had a real positive effect on the safety of residents in Nuneaton and Coventry.
“Cocaine and heroin leave a bloody trail round the world, from their production to their supply. We’re pleased with the sentences given by the Court, as they give a clear message to those who look to profit from the supply of controlled drugs.”