Two men have been jailed after an investigation into a county lines drugs gang operating on a daily basis in Blackpool. The drug-dealing gang were responsible for supplying crack cocaine and heroin, with them using local hotels as a base and several vehicles to distribute drugs around the town.
The two men were taken down during an investigation codenamed Operation Manatee which was led by the Project Adder team based at Blackpool Police Station.
As part of the investigation officers seized crack cocaine and heroin with a street value of £3,370. A total of £1,785 cash was seized throughout the operation and 11 mobile phones.
Farhan Khan (pictured left), 27, of Harewood Avenue, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, was jailed for seven years at Preston Crown Court on Friday 6th October after being found guilty by a jury of being supplied in the supply of Class A drugs crack cocaine and heroin.
Jordan Cudjoe (pictured right), 32, of Bruthwaite Green, Bedford, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He was jailed for four years.
Emma Allsobrook, 32, of Poppyfields, Bedford, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and to possession of drugs with intent to supply. She was given a 22-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Project Adder involves a trauma informed approach to tackling Class A drug use. The project seeks to identify the issues at the root of addiction. It seeks to offer support and treatment ahead of prosecution for those suffering addiction.
Whilst these people are being offered support, the police team look to target those supplying the most harmful drugs in Blackpool. The team try to provide the environment where help can be found without the persistent threat of further gangs selling drugs in the area.
PC Matt Witte, of the Project Adder team, said: ‘This is a great result and should show how committed we are to taking drug dealers off the streets while offering support to those suffering as a result of drug misuse
This group exploited vulnerable members of the community for their own financial gain, they do not care about the consequences their actions have on those to whom they supply, or the effects it has on our town.
Project Adder is a multi-agency approach to improving the lives of families in Blackpool. We will continue to work towards improving the outcomes for those suffering from addiction, whilst tackling the associated problems that this destructive activity has on the community.
However, the work is ongoing and we must stress that we rely on information from people within our communities. If you have information about drug supply in your area, please let us know.
You can call us on 101, report what you know online at doitonline.lancashire.police.uk or you can report information in the strictest confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.’
