County lines trio jailed for running drugs into Eastbourne
Police say they kept up their criminal activities for a decade
Three men who ran drugs from London into Eastbourne for a decade have been jailed for more than 17 years between them.
The trio were involved in the 'Sparky' county lines operation, which sold crack cocaine and heroin to vulnerable people in the town.
Police conducted simultaneous warrants in Eastbourne and London on July 22nd last year, seizing class A substances.
29-year-old Rease Colebrook, of Normanton Street in Forest Hill, London, 28-year-old Edson Cardoso of Allwood Close in London and 28-year-old Gary Brown of Larkbere Road in Lewisham, London, were all detained.
The trio were charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, along with possession with intent to supply. Brown was also further charged with possession of an offensive weapon (a knuckle duster).
On 19 July 2023 they appeared at Woolwich Crown Court and pleaded guilty to all offences. The following day, Colebrook (street name ‘Ady’) was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, Cardoso (street name ‘Rio’) was sentenced to six years and four months’ imprisonment, and Brown (street name ‘Major’) was sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment.
Investigating Officer, PC Dan Cloake, said:
"The three defendants have been running this specific drugs line in Eastbourne for around 10 years, and although previously convicted of drug supply offences and imprisoned prior to this, they continued their drug supply as soon as they were released.
“One tactic the ‘Sparky’ line has always used is the cuckooing of known drug-users and vulnerable adults’ addresses, often targeting those with significant drug or mental health issues.
“Over the past decade, we have successfully relocated at least five vulnerable people away from the Eastbourne area to new addresses in order to safeguard them from further exploitation.
“We hope this result will further protect those at risk of harm in our communities, and make people understand the serious consequences of drug-dealing.”