A County Lines drug dealer from London involved in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in Swindon has been jailed.

A police investigation found that 37-year-old Shamar Pennant of Camden was part of a 'Ben' county line which supplied Class A drugs to vulnerable users in the borough.

Officers arrested Pennant in Newbury in July while he was carrying crack cocaine and heroin. They later searched his home address and seized around £1,000 in cash and designer clothing which included a bag worth more than £10,000.

Pennant pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and appeared at Swindon Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday.

He will be behind bars for two years and four months.

Officers from Wiltshire Police’s East Swindon Neighbourhood Team and Operation Fortitude worked closely with officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Operation Orochi during this investigation.

PC Craig Head from Operation Fortitude said: “Throughout this investigation we worked closely with our colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Service to target drug dealers involved in bringing in Class A drugs from London to the Swindon area.

“These sorts of County Lines groups not only peddle illegal drugs, which cause serious misery for vulnerable addicts and users, but also bring with them the associated exploitation, anti-social behaviour and violence.

“We are committed to being proactive in disrupting this criminal activity and making the streets of Swindon safer in the process.”