Four jailed for county lines drug offences in Derby

They were handed sentences along with five others at Derby Crown Court just before Christmas after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Danny Mulvaney, Asher Watts and Jahdel Moran were the main ringleaders of the group, each having a role in controlling the ‘21’ line and directing runners to supply crack, heroin and cannabis.

They would ‘cuckoo’ or take over the homes of vulnerable adults to use as a base to sell drugs, and recruit teenagers to act as runners.

Officers carried out a complex investigation which revealed their operations between December 2020 and September 2021, which began following a warrant on Stepping Lane in Derby in April 2021.

More than 400 wraps of crack cocaine and cannabis were seized during the search of the address.

Mobile telephone enquiries showed they had reached out to more than 4,100 individuals to sell drugs. Cash totalling more than £4,000 was also seized, along with a knife.

As a result of the investigation, seven men and one woman were handed sentences following the hearing on Friday 19 December.

Danny Mulvany (25) of the Nottingham area, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs- heroin and crack cocaine- jailed for eight years.

Asher Watts (31) of Pendleside Way, Littleover, pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs- heroin and crack cocaine, and conspiracy to supply Class B cannabis, but he was found guilty. He was jailed for seven years and two months.

Jahdel Moran (26) who is from the Nottingham, Derby and Long Eaton areas, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs- heroin and crack cocaine, and guilty to theft. He was jailed for 64 months.

Charlie Jordan-Longworth (21) of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs- heroin and crack cocaine, and three counts of possession with intent to supply heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis. He was jailed for 52 months.

Ryan Dafer (20) of James Close, Derby, pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs- heroin and crack cocaine but was found guilty. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis. He was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Gabriella Swierczewska (22) of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis- sentenced to 22 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Kai Jones (20) of Ruskin Close, Daybrook, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs- heroin and crack cocaine- sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Edmund Mhembere (20) of Woodland Avenue, Nottingham pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs- heroin and crack cocaine- sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for 15 months.

Isaiah Porteous (20) of Beech Avenue, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs- heroin and crack cocaine- sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 15 months.

Temporary Detective Inspector Kane Martin, who leads our criminal exploitation teams, said: “This result is the final result of a lengthy and complex investigation into the ‘21’ line, which saw the dealing of dangerous drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine in Derby.

“This case shows how we proactively to target county lines drug dealing in our county, and our determination to catch offenders and disrupt the supply of drugs.”

Temp. DI Martin added: “County Lines drug dealing has a significant impact in the communities, causing devastation to the lives of those affected by addiction, exploiting vulnerable adults and young people and bringing with it associated serious violence and other crime.

“If you have any concerns or information about drug supply in your area, please report it to us as information from the public can be a vital part of our investigations into the sale and misuse of illegal drugs.”

If you believe someone is involved in drugs or other criminal activity, or have noticed suspicious activity in your area, please report it to us on the non-emergency details below. Car number plates, names, CCTV and doorbell images are particularly helpful.

• Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: use our online contact form
• Facebook – send us private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• Twitter – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call us on 101

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website