A county lines drug dealer whose supply operation was found in a Bournemouth hotel has been jailed for three years and nine months.
Andre Steve McRonna, 25 and of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 11 October 2019 after being found guilty of two counts of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug and facilitating, acquiring or possessing criminal property. He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of cannabis.
On Friday 10 February 2017 officers executed a drugs warrant at a block of flats in Churchill Road in Bournemouth. McRonna was located in the communal hallway of the flats and was subject of a stop and search.
Officers found he was carrying cannabis, two mobile phones and a can of pepper spray and he was arrested.
As part of their enquiries officers established that McRonna had been staying at the Manchester Hotel in Bournemouth. His room was also searched and they located a white sock containing approximately £2,700 in cash. The cash was forensically examined and traces of heroin and cannabis were located. Black scales were also found in his room.
Staff at the hotel stated that McRonna had stayed at the hotel between Thursday 5 January 2017 and Friday 10 February 2017.
His mobile phones were examined and notes were located. They were viewed by a drugs expert who concluded that they were associated with the sale of heroin and crack cocaine.
Police Constable Young, of Bournemouth police, said: “Andre McRonna was involved in the supply of class A drugs in Bournemouth as part of a county lines drug dealing network.
“Drug dealing supply and misuse can blight communities and we are committed to tackling this and bringing dealers such as McRonna to justice.”
County Lines is the term used to describe urban gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas, as well as market and coastal towns, by using dedicated mobile phone lines.
Criminals across the country use children and vulnerable people of all ages to courier drugs and money. These drug dealers will often take up residence in a person’s home – known as cuckooing – to sell drugs in the local area.
Once caught up in county lines, exploited individuals are at risk of extreme physical and/or sexual violence, gang recriminations and trafficking.
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