Three men have been imprisoned for supplying heroin and crack cocaine in Brighton and Hove and another two people given suspended sentences following a major police operation to bust drug dealing rings.
The five were arrested during a six-month long operation carried out by officers from Brighton and Hove Police’s Community Investigation Team into the supply of drugs into the city. More than 75 arrests have been made so far.
Sentencing them, Judge Charles Kemp said: “This was an efficient and well organised conspiracy to pedal dangerous drugs. You had no control of where they end up and they often make their way to young and vulnerable people.
“Lives are ruined and sometimes terminated. You are all adults and as long as you were willing to take part this will continue to be a problem.”
The judge commended the work of the officers involved in the case and the success of the police operation so far.
Detective Inspector Julie Wakeford said: “These sentences are the latest for those arrested as a result of our major drugs operation targeting the supply of heroin and crack cocaine into the city.
“Our work which is supported by the Community Safety Partnership is an example of the excellent joint working that continues in the city targeting those who supply heroin while at the same time encouraging those who need to support with addiction into treatment.”
Maxime Coulibaly, Babucarr Camara, Mustapha John and Winston Kuye were sentenced to a combined total of 12 years and eight months imprisonment when they appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Thursday (12 October).
Coulibaly, 21, of no fixed address, was jailed for 20 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and possession of cannabis after pleading guilty.
Camara, 29, of North Ham Road, Littlehampton, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment after he was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court on 13 September of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and possession of cannabis in the city earlier this year.
Mustapha John, 22, of New England Road, Brighton, was jailed for four years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, money laundering and possession of an offensive weapon – a hammer.
And Winston Kuye, 53,of Grand Parade, Brighton, was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years and 180 hours of unpaid work in the community. Both pleaded guilty to the charges.
Bronwen McKenzie, 44, of Wiston Road, Brighton, was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which was suspended for two years and given a 12-month drug rehabilitation order. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
