A DRUG boss who discarded a knife while running away from police has been sentenced after a huge drugs bust turned up thousands of pounds worth of class-A drugs.

Yacine Djalti, 20, from Liverpool but of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to nine years, nine months in prison for conspiracy to supply heroin; conspiracy to supply crack cocaine; criminal damage to property; possessing a knife blade in a public place; and racially aggravated public order. 

The offences relate to the running of a crack cocaine and heroin ‘county line’ branded as the ‘Mo’ into south Cumbria between July and August 2021.

He headed an Organised Crime Group (OCG) of which other members have already been imprisoned.

On July 28, 2021, Cumbria Police conducted a warrant at an address on Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness - following up on intelligence that drug dealing was occurring in the area.

Eighty wraps of crack cocaine and ninety-eight wraps of heroin to a value of £3,600, along with £360 cash, was seized from the address. Inside was the flat was occupant Marc Woods, street dealer Derek Duncan, and ‘stock keeper’ Fred Williams.

All three were arrested. 

On August 5, 2021, officers conducted a warrant at a further address on Titchfield Street, Barrow-in-Furness, from which eighty-nine wraps of heroin and £1,080 cash was seized. Inside was the flat occupant and street dealer Ben Heavyside, and a juvenile from Merseyside.

Phone evidence from the day showed frequent contact between all three and OCG head Djalti, as well as contact with drug courier Gary Crompton.

The final arrest of the investigation took place in Merseyside, on August 17, 2021, when Cumbria and Merseyside Police jointly executed a warrant on Whitney Road, Liverpool.

As they approached the address, Djalti was spotted on the street and a foot chase ensued through gardens with Djalti discarding mobile phones, cash, and a knife. When the phones were recovered it was found that both were the handsets used to run the county line over the period of the conspiracy.

A spokesperson from the south area Community Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “Djalti’s drug operation exploited the most vulnerable in society for profit. 

“He and other members of the crime group used a child to traffic drugs into the county, and he made money from Cumbrians struggling with addiction. 

“The investigation against this criminal group was lengthy and complex, and the strength of the evidence against Djalti – which ultimately led him to plead guilty to the full facts of the prosecution case rather than elect for trial – was achieved in partnership with Merseyside Police.

“I hope these sentences send a strong message to those selling Class A drugs into south Cumbria: we will pursue you, arrest you, and prosecute you no matter where you live.”

The other members previously sentenced are:

• Fred Williams, 21, of Glasven Road, Liverpool was sentenced to two years, ten months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin. 
• Gary Crompton, 59, of Aurorean Close, Liverpool was sentenced to two years for conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – crack cocaine and heroin. 
• Ben Heavyside, 31, of Titchfield Street, Barrow was sentenced to three years, four months for conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – heroin and arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view of exploitation 
• Derek Duncan, 50 of, Stonegarth, Carlisle has been sentenced to two years for conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – crack cocaine and heroin.
• Marc Woods, 44, of Abbey Road, Barrow was sentenced to thirteen months for permitting premises to be used.