A man who headed an Organised Crime Group (OCG) from Liverpool was sentenced on Friday 10th June at Newcastle Crown Court for drug supply following a Cumbria Police investigation.

Yacine Djalti, 20, from Liverpool but of no fixed abode, was today 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
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.

Other members of the OCG were sentenced on the 23rd March at an earlier hearing.

•             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.

On 28th July 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.

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

On 5th August 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.

The final arrest of the investigation took place in Merseyside, on 17th August 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 information we receive from you on drugs supply is crucial to our efforts to tackling this issue. If you witness drug supply activity or have information, please report this to us.

You can do this quickly and easily online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it.

Or complete our online intelligence reporting form to share information that you feel could help us investigate a suspected crime or perhaps safeguard someone who may need our help – Tell Us Something – Cumbria Constabulary

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.