A TOP police officer has described county lines drug operations as a ‘blight on the county’ after a man was sentenced for supplying Class A drugs to the streets of Barrow.

Zaki Roberts was jailed at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker said officers executed a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act at around 5pm on March 25 this year.

Mr Parker said the 25-year-old, of Rawlinson Street in Barrow, was found to have in his possession four wraps of heroin and one wrap of cocaine at 0.2-gram quantities.

He said if sold at street level the drugs would have had an estimated value of approximately £60.

Mr Parker said Roberts had thrown a bag and a mobile phone to the floor whilst attempting to flee from officers.

A search conducted at Roberts’ address later uncovered digital scales and other drug paraphernalia consistent with drug supply activity, the court was told.

Mr Parker said investigators then found phone numbers consistent with being used to facilitate the supply of heroin and crack cocaine to drug users in Barrow.

He added the Crown was ‘suspicious’ as to why the defendant was in the area having previously resided in the London area.

The court was told the offence put the defendant in breach of a previously imposed two-year suspended sentence order for two years imposed by Stoke Crown Court on February 16 last year for similar offences.

The court heard on that occasion how Roberts also attempted to flee from the police before being found with just under £100 in cash and between 30-40 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, which if sold at street level had a value of approximately £470.

His barrister Tom Lord said these new set of offences were ‘markedly less serious because of the quantities of drugs’.

Mr Lord added: “He is a father to his son but was asked to leave his family home in Barnet due to a court order. His mother is now responsible for looking after his son. He will be homeless when he leaves custody.

“He went to Barrow for legitimate work but fell into old habits where he knew he could make a quick buck. He had disposable cash readily available to him but he knows that lifestyle only leads to one result.  

“He is a salvageable individual but he knows custody is inevitable today. He is keen to make changes to his lifestyle.”

Recorder Katie Jones jailed the defendant for four years.

Speaking after the result of the sentencing, Detective Sergeant James Aiston said: “Roberts played an important part in dealing Class A drugs into the Barrow area.

“However, the result is a significant prison sentence for Roberts which should send out a clear message to anyone else considering involving themselves in similar criminality.

“County lines drug dealing is a blight on the county and significantly contributes to immense suffering to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“Cumbria Constabulary is committed to rooting it out, as evidenced by this most recent court result.”