Dozens arrested in crackdown on heroin in Brighton and Hove

Police have arrested 59 people after a series of raids in connection with the supply of heroin in Brighton and Hove.

Sussex Police said officers have been targeting dealers who supply class A drugs in the city, and thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash have been seized as a result.

The force has also been working to identify vulnerable people affected by drug trafficking.

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Of the 59 people arrested during the six-month-long operation, 46 people have been charged, with 11 released on bail. One has been cautioned and one summoned to court at a later date.

The operation was carried out by officers from Brighton and Hove police’s community investigation team, supported by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

Detective Inspector Julie Wakeford said: “Many of the supply networks targeted through this operation originate from various boroughs within London.

“We had support from the Metropolitan Police throughout this operation and will continue to work with them to disrupt these networks often linked to London gangs who are intent on supplying heroin in Brighton and Hove.

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“The methods they use to operate their dealing networks exploit vulnerable people both adults and teenagers in order to maximise their profit from drug supply.

“The community investigation team at Brighton benefits from long standing partnership support from the Safe in the City team within the local authority. We share a commitment to reduce the harm associated to heroin supply in the city.”

As a result of the operation:

- Dean Gill, 59, of The Crestway, Brighton, was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He pleaded guilty on March 16 and was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to five years and eight months in prison.

- The following people were charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and have been remanded in custody: Chazen Stumke, 20, of no fixed address; Joshua Otaru, 20, of Torrington Way, Merton, London; Joshua Adewale, 22, of Garth Close, Merton, London; Kwesi Asamoah, 19, of Lockgate Close, Hackney, London; Rico Mitchell, 19, of The Avenue, Wembley, London; Mesach Knight, 20, of Bunns Lane, Mill Hill, London; James Gibson, 20, of no fixed address; Malik Wacha, 36, of St James Road, Croydon; Mustapha John, 22, of no fixed address; Maxime Coulibaly, 21, of no fixed address; Babucarr Camara, 28, of North Ham Road, Littlehampton; Gary McCarten, 27, of Hazel Close, Newhaven; Daniel McDermot, 34, of no fixed address; Emad Uddin, 22, of Queens Road, Northampton; Mohammed Alom, 21, of Old Bethanal Green Road, London; William Ashbee, 26, of Howard Place, Brighton; Farhad Khan, 22, of Chipka Street, London; Charles Ogunnowo, 21, of Crest Road, Croydon; Nigel Changambi, 19, of Browning Close, Crawley; Joseph Sswewwo, 23, of no fixed address; Jan Cinnan, 19, of no fixed address; Alexander Loucadies, 25, of Beulah Hill, London; Jordan Salmon, 21, of The Quarterdeck, London; Ruhalur Rahman, 23, of Larson Walk, London; Peter Dillon, 30, of Burleigh Road South, Liverpool; Michael Murphy, 21, of Noonan Close, Liverpool; Michael Oginni, 24, of Vincent Road, Croydon; George Mitchell, 19, of Gadswell Close, Watford; Bronwyn McKenzie, 44, of no fixed address; and Carl Gillespie, 44, of no fixed address.

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- Leondre Thomas, 21, of Clarence Road, London, was summonsed for conspiracy to supply class A drugs having already been remanded on unconnected matters.

- The following people have all charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and bailed to court hearings during April and May: Ashlee Scott, 44, of Donald Hall Road, Brighton; Tamarapreye Soroh, 21, of Queen Anne Avenue, Shortlands, Bromley; Sade Woolnough, 18, of Bideford Road, Bromley; Philip Barnes, 48, of no fixed address; Remy Douglas, 49, of Phoenix Rise, Brighton; Alan Barnes, 42, of no fixed address and Kieran Sakhabuth, 20, of The Avenue, Brighton.

- Three 16-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and bailed to court.

- Reece McCue, 30, of Grand Parade, Brighton and Alexandra Rose, 45, of Percival Terrace, Brighton, have been charged and bailed to court for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and released on court bail.

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- Stacey Lockwood, 21, of Atlingworth Street, Brighton, has been charged with possession of class B drugs and bailed.

- A 25-year-old man who was arrested has been released on bail until April 12.

- An arrested woman aged 22 has been bailed until May 9 and a 53-year-old man, a 57-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman who were all arrested have all been bailed until May 10.

- A 41-year-old man who was arrested and bailed until April 3 failed to report on bail and is currently wanted.

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- A 33-year-old man has been bailed until April 20, a 21-year-old man and a 20-year-old man have been bailed until May 5. A 62-year-old man and a 24-year-old man have been bailed until May 22.

- A 27-year-old woman has been cautioned for possession of class A and B drugs.

- A 27-year-old woman arrested was released without further action.