‘Tony’ drug line dealer who 'cuckooed' home of Tamworth woman jailed

A drug dealer from Birmingham who took over the home of a vulnerable woman as part of the ‘Tony’ drug line has been jailed. Lee Connelly, of Langdale Road in Great Barr, took over the home of a woman in Stonydelph in Tamworth – after police were tipped off that the county lines drug dealing operation was being conducted from the home.

Officers from Staffordshire Police’s major and organised crime proactive teams raided the property last August and found Connelly inside. They searched him and found 146 deals of crack cocaine, 36 deals of heroin and £500 in cash.

They also seized several mobile phones linked to the county lines drug dealing. Connelly was found to be dealing cocaine and heroin and was found guilty of the crimes at Stafford Crown Court following a trial in February.

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The 30-year-old was jailed for possession with intent to supply both heroin and cocaine and was jailed for six years at the same court on Thursday, May 16. He was also given a one-year jail term for possessing criminal property, which he will serve at the same time as the five-year dealing sentence.

Det Sgt Jon Bradbury, from the Staffordshire Police major and organised crime team, said: “The circumstances were consistent with the cuckooing method of drug supply; where the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by criminals to use it to store, sell or take drugs.

“We will continue to proactively identify, target and investigate those involved in drug supply in Staffordshire to take these harmful substances off our streets and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.

“We are pleased to secure this guilty verdict and sentencing following a successful investigation by the team into an organised drug dealing network. As seen in this case, these groups exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health, or addiction issues.”

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A force spokesperson added: “The activity follows our ongoing commitment to proactively target serious and organised crime across Staffordshire. We launched Operation Target last year and have been working with local police forces to disrupt and pursue criminals who plan, organise and commit serious criminal offences across the county, including drug supply, illegal firearms, knife crime, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.”