County Lines drug dealers jailed

A man and woman who were part of a London County Lines operation targeting Swindon have been jailed for a total of 10 years. 

Nathan Dawkins, 37, from Lewisham, and Kelsey Shaffer-Nolan, 24, from South London pleaded guilty to drugs charges at earlier hearings at Swindon Crown Court.  

Both were identified as the main members of a drugs network following their initial arrests in June and July of last year. 

During the course of the police investigation several vehicles were used to deliver drugs to Swindon and make deliveries to local users.  As well as vehicles, they also made use of the train line to transport drugs between the capital and Swindon.

In November of last year, warrants were executed at the home addresses of Dawkins and Schafer-Nolan, where both were arrested and remanded in custody after being charged with drugs offences and money laundering.

The investigation identified that the drugs line dealt more than one kilo of crack cocaine and heroin into Swindon. 

Dawkins, identified as the leader of the operation, was jailed for seven years and nine months.  Schaffer-Nolan, identified as having a significant role within the operation for a limited time, was sentenced to two years and four months.

Following the case, PC Gareth Snoad from Wiltshire Police's Operation Fortitude Team said: "Nathan Dawkins had a leading role in the supply of Class A drugs from London into Swindon for many months - exploiting vulnerable people through their addiction, whilst Kelsey Schafer-Nolan also benefited from her involvement in this crime.

"I am pleased with these sentences and hopefully they reflect the severity of the actions of these two and the impact this crime has on many vulnerable people.

"County Lines drugs supply is a national problem and needs to be continually targeted as it affects everyone within our communities. 

"We - as a force - are committed to tackling County Lines and will continue to target those involved in the supply of Class A drugs within our county, our towns and our villages." 

Anybody suspecting someone to be involved in drug dealing can contact the police on 101 or  anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.