A COUNTY lines drug dealer found with thousands of pounds in cash has been jailed.

Ezekiel Bailey was arrested at a vulnerable drug users’ address in Swindon in March 2020, with officers seizing multiple wraps of crack cocaine, a Class A drug, more than £1,200 in cash and a mobile phone linked to a drugs line.

Officers were carrying out enquiries into the ‘Troy’ drugs line when they took him into custody.

The 21-year-old appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday where he was sentenced for the offences.

He previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.

He was jailed for 20 months, whilst there was no separate penalty for possessing criminal property.

Meanwhile, he was given an additional 1-month sentence for breaching a suspended sentence order issued by Coventry Magistrates’ Court.

Bailey, of HMP Aylesbury, was ordered to pay a £149 victim surcharge, and the cash and drugs will be forfeited.

PC Craig Head, from the Fortitude team, said: "We know that these County Lines dealers travel in from London to Swindon to take advantage of vulnerable drug users, often bringing with them violence and exploitation.

"We are committed to ensuring that these types of offenders are brought to justice, as well as working with partner agencies and charities to ensure support is in place to help these users break the cycle of addiction.

"We rely on information and intelligence from our local communities so if you have suspicions about drug activity in your neighbourhood, please report it so we can take action."