Northamptonshire officers get judges commendation
The team brought two drug dealers to justice after they exploited vulnerable children
A group of Northamptonshire Police officers have been given a judges commendation after they brought two drug dealers to justice who exploited vulnerable children.
The Serious and Organised Crime Team began running Operation Harrier in 2021, to investigate the actions of a county lines drug supply gang operating in Northampton.
They established that two ringleaders were bringing crack cocaine and heroin into the town from London and were trafficking vulnerable children to sell the drugs for them.
Following a six-week trial in the summer of 2023, jurors at Northampton Crown Court found the pair guilty, and they were jailed for a total of 37 years for Class A drug supply and modern-day slavery and human trafficking charges.
Presiding judge Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking praised the Northamptonshire Police investigators for their hard work, awarding a commendation for their investigation.
Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet made a formal presentation of the commendations to the team at Wootton Hall:
“The work the Operation Harrier team carried out wasn’t just about two people selling illegal drugs for financial gain, it was about recognising their willingness to exploit vulnerable children to do so, without a care for the damage they were causing to them and their families.
“Thanks to the dedication of these investigators, the young people involved were safeguarded and offered support. I am very proud to see the hard work of our officers in helping them and securing these convictions independently recognised with this prestigious commendation.”
Detective Sergeant Keith Morson, of the Serious and Organised Crime Team, added: “This was a challenging and complex investigation that saw vulnerable children being used relentlessly to supply Class A drugs, one after another, by the defendants.
“I am very satisfied that these dangerous criminals have been imprisoned for such a long time and I have immense pride for the investigative team that dedicated so much time and effort, painstakingly providing overwhelming evidence to prove the case at court.
“It is an absolute honour for the team to be recognised formally by HH Judge Lucking KC for the investigation, which shows that Northamptonshire Police is dedicated to pursuing serious and organised crime and protecting the vulnerable, and the community as a whole, from drug harm.”