Three men and a woman jailed for drug dealing in Bournemouth

Shahed Nowaz, aged 23, of Vine Close in Hackney, London and Reece Britt, aged 25, of Hollydown Way in London as well as Sion Jennings, aged 19, of Wiltshire Gardens, Harringay in London, and Sandra Da Conceicao, also known as Sandra Martins, aged 44, of Arcola Street, Hackney in London, all admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

They were sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 15 November 2018.

Nowaz, who was thought to have played the principle role, was jailed for seven years. Britt was sentenced to five years in prison, Jennings was handed a sentence of two years and eight months and Da Conceicao was imprisoned for two years.

The conviction followed a detailed investigation into the gang’s operation by Dorset Police between December 2017 and January 2018.

The gang, which operated predominantly around Bournemouth, used a single mobile phone number as a point of contact and would send out blanket text messages to potential customers. The number was discovered to be directly linked to the three men.

Britt and Jennings were witnessed dealing drugs from a Hyundai Tucson over the course of several days.

When they were arrested on 15 December 2017, the vehicle was searched and heroin and crack cocaine was found. Over £1,000 was also located in the glovebox. The pair’s DNA was linked to the drugs that were discovered. Nowaz’s DNA was also discovered on the drugs. The drugs had an estimated street value of £2,500.

When officers searched Jennings, wraps of heroin were also found concealed in his rectum.

Following Nowaz’s arrest on 30 January 2018 a search of two London addresses linked to him took place. Officers discovered a large bundle of cash in a drawer, ‘throwaway’ mobile phones, a hydraulic press, class A drugs and dealer lists. The drugs found were believed to have a value of around £5,000.

Da Conceicao was arrested at the same time as Nowaz after a warrant was executed at her home address. The gang was using her address as a ‘stash house’ for them to distribute drugs from and used to prepare the drugs before being sent to Dorset. Following the warrant, a quantity of heroin and crack cocaine was seized.

Detective Constable Will Pearce, of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation Team, said, “This conviction follows a detailed investigation by Dorset Police, building a very strong case against all four individuals and putting them before the courts.

“We simply will not tolerate drug gangs dealing in the county. We will continue to disrupt these gangs and are committed to protecting vulnerable people who are often coerced into involvement. We also have strong links with neighbouring police forces and the Regional Organised Crime Unit to share intelligence and best practice to tackle those operating in our area.”

The gang is said to have been operating from a drug-dealing model known as ‘county lines’ from London into Bournemouth.

DC Pearce added, “County lines are operated by individuals or groups who use mobile phones to branch out their drug-dealing network into new locations away from their home. A county line set up will almost always involve exploitation of vulnerable people including children.

“Cuckooing takes place when criminals target the homes of vulnerable people for the purposes of drug dealing. Victims are often offered incentives for this, but realistically they are left with little choice but to co-operate.

“Initially dealers may approach the vulnerable person offering free drugs; however, this may progress to threats of violence and the victim being made to pay off drug debts by use of their home and sometimes assisting the drug dealing.

“Dorset Police’s objectives are to safeguard vulnerable victims firstly. The next stage is to disrupt drug supply and arrest and prosecute offenders.

“We need information from residents in areas where drug dealing is clearly taking place so we can take action, especially from neighbours who see increased visitors to an address and evidence of drug use in public places.”

To report concerns about a house you think might be being used for drug dealing or drug activity call Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.