A 52-YEAR-OLD Bangor woman whose rented home was used for “county lines” drug dealing has been jailed for three years and nine months today.

Lorraine Roberts received an extra month in custody for failing to attend court.

Caernarfon crown court was told police raided a home in Ambrose Street, Bangor, last March and discovered heroin and crack cocaine worth £6,800 and a machete.

Prosecuting counsel Sion ap Mihangel said it was a “county lines” and “cuckooing” enterprise.

Luke Sargent-Ward, 24, of no fixed address, jailed for three years, said he had a £4,000 debt to dealers and had been sent to Bangor by an organised crime group to look after other individual.

The defendants admitted being involved in supplying drugs.

Ffion Tomos, defending Roberts, said after being widowed she met a heroin addict. She provided accommodation for those from outside the area to deal drugs and was paid with cocaine.

“She certainly wasn’t the mastermind behind this operation,” the barrister declared. She also bought heroin for her sick partner.

Miss Tomos said Roberts had now “detoxed.”

Dafydd Roberts, counsel for Sargent-Ward, said :”He felt under pressure.

He had been threatened. He’s resolved this is going to be his first and only time in custody.”

Judge Timothy Petts said the property had been used “as a den for drug dealing.”

Both defendants were “willing participants in what was going on” and Roberts was paid in drugs for providing a “safe haven.”

PC Elwyn Williams of the Proactive Crime Team said: “The sentence sends out a message that North Wales Police we will pursue those who cause the most serious harm to our communities and under Operation Rattle those who supply Class A drugs will be put before the courts to face the consequences of their crimes. There is no hiding place.

“The total street value of the drugs seized was £6,805. Each defendant played a significant role within the gang, Lorraine Roberts allowed the use of her flat in Bangor to be used to store heroin and crack cocaine, she was a courier for the gang members using her partner’s motability vehicle and also contacted the upstream drug dealers in Liverpool on numerous occasions via mobile phone.

"Luke Ward acted as the enforcer for the gang ensuring that the heroin, and crack cocaine was kept safe.

Detective Sergeant Andy Davies added: “We rely on the continued help and support from our communities.  Intelligence used by police has resulted in scores of arrests and the seizure of drugs, weapons and other illegal materials since Operation Rattle began.  

“Operation Rattle’ is an on-going investigation targeting those who bring controlled drugs into North West Wales from Merseyside and in line with the forces’ Operation Scorpion is directly targeting serious and organised crime.  We are determined to keep our communities safe.”    

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If you’d rather pass information anonymously phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.