Drug dealers try to discard drugs in petrol station bin - as young teens exploited by County Lines gang

A video released by Nottinghamshire Police shows the moment panicking drug dealers try to discard their stash in a bin at a petrol station - while their friend is being arrested by officers just metres away. But the quick thinking did nothing to help their case - with investigations finding a County Line running from Nottingham to various areas in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.

Nottinghamshire Police had stopped a car heading out of Nottingham on the A46 on June 2, 2022. They pulled the Vauxhall Astra over at a nearby petrol station.

One of the four men in the car, Ellis Johnson, tries to run away with more than 100 wraps of Class A drugs in a parcel but is caught by officers and handcuffed. It is a CCTV camera which then picks up the moment that, in the meantime, tracksuit-clad Charlie Scurr and Jaxon Hardwick attempt to dump some of the heroin and crack cocaine left in the vehicle in a litter bin.

Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp

They were later arrested at the scene along with Johnson and another man, Alan Reynolds. And not long later, police had enough reason to start a major investigation, as evidence built of a large criminal enterprise taking place across the wider East Midlands.

The investigation found evidence on all four men's mobile phones relating to the sale of class A drugs, including adverts sent out via text messages and collusion between gang members to have drugs transported between counties. Messages on Charlie Scurr's phone also revealed the name of another major player in the operation.

Keanan Frazer's home was later raided and inside police found a cryptocurrency package, drug dealing equipment, knives, an extendable baton, designer clothing and bundles of cash. His phone was analysed - and it was at that point that the dark, disturbing depths of the operation came to light.

It showed he had been recruiting teenagers to transport drugs - some as young as 13. Police further investigated the suspicion of children being involved, and found a boy locked in a local drug user's home, after he was reported missing and a member of the public alerted the police, having spotted him with the man in a local supermarket.

They later analysed the boy's mobile phone and found text messages relating to his involvement in the operation. Officers also carried out multiple other property raids across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire and discovered drugs, weapons, cash and high-value items.

Ten people have now been convicted of their involvement in the operation, with seven jailed and one awaiting sentence. They are:

Keanan Frazer, aged 23, who was jailed for 12 years for his "leading role", organising the buying and selling of drugs on a commercial scale and exploiting children.

Jaxon Hardwick, aged 23, who had control of one of the lines and was described as "heavily invested" in the enterprise. He was jailed for four years and four months.

Charlie Scurr, aged 21, who was described in court as having an operational role, travelling as a dealer and aware of the scale of the conspiracy. He was jailed for two years and six months.

Kyron MacGregor, aged 19, a street dealer with operational knowledge of the enterprise. He was jailed for three years and nine months after also being convicted of affray after a fight involving a group armed with weapons in Clifton, Nottingham, on May 8, 2022, and possession of a knife from January this year when he ran from police in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

Tom Woodworth, aged 38, described in court as a "hapless addict" but with knowledge of the scale of the enterprise. The judge said he was fully aware young people were being exploited and he was jailed for four years and three months.

Leila Barnes, aged 26, allowed dealers to stay at her Lincoln home and use the flat to store drugs. The judge said she was a "willing participant" who was aware children were being used as runners. She was jailed for a three years.

Ellis Johnson, aged 20, who was jailed for two years and two months. Attempted to flee the scene when the original arrest took place off the A46.

Alan Reynolds, aged 44, of Longwill Avenue, Melton Mowbray, who was described as a "paid driver" who transported dealers and had some knowledge of the overall conspiracy but a limited role. He was jailed for two years, suspended for two years.

Emma Burton, aged 45, of Stamp End, Lincoln, who was described as the least involved by the judge. She signposted drug users to Barnes’ flat but was handed an 18 month sentence suspended for 18 months after the judge said she had undergone a "remarkable transformation" in her efforts to beat drugs.

Another defendant, aged 22, has also been convicted of conspiring to supply a Class A drug and is awaiting sentencing.

Detective Constable Charlie Sylvester, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a complex investigation which began back in the summer of 2022 and involved multiple police teams and many hours of painstaking detective work. As so often with these conspiracies, some of the individuals involved were also being exploited themselves by those higher up the chain.

“There was evidence, however, that several members of this gang were living lavish lifestyles funded by the misery of others. This gang was a typical County Line business model, with drug dealers exploiting vulnerable young people to do their dirty work while they made large profits.

“Children as young as 13 were encouraged to travel to places some distance away, and which they did not know, to transport and sell drugs. It exposed them to multiple dangers which children should never be subjected to.

“The harm groups like this cause to communities is why it is a priority for the force to target and disrupt those believed to be involved."