A “county lines” drug dealer has been jailed for selling heroin and crack cocaine after being arrested by Sussex Police.
Liam Batchelor, 37, used half a dozen mobile phones – or county lines – to send out bulk messages advertising drugs and referring to himself as Tilgate Liam.
Batchelor, of Boswell Road, Tilgate, was arrested in December when detectives obtained a warrant for an address in Crawley as part of an investigation into drug dealing in the town.
He admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – and Judge Robert Fraser jailed him for three years and nine months at Chichester Crown Court last month.
Sussex Police said today: “A man has been jailed following a crackdown on county lines drug-dealing.
“Officers executed a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at an address in Crawley where local dealer Liam Batchelor was arrested.
“It was after he was identified as operating a drugs line supplying heroin and crack cocaine to vulnerable drug users in the area.
“The 37-year-old, who referred to himself in bulk text messages as ‘Tilgate Liam’, was found in possession of six mobile phones which were examined and clearly showed his criminal activity.”
PC Dave Oliver, of the Op Centurion team, said: “This is another great result in our continued efforts to target prolific drug dealers and protect vulnerable drug users in Crawley.
“It is essential we catch criminals before they have the opportunity to escape or conceal evidence and sometimes this involves executing a pre-planned warrant.
“This case demonstrates that we could be coming for you anywhere at any time.”
Batchelor was arrested as part of Operation Ruby – a crackdown on county lines drug dealing in Crawley in December.
A number of other suspects were also arrested and are due to appear in court over the next few months.
