Hackney drug dealers sent to prison for county lines drug network selling crack cocaine and heroin across Portsmouth

Michael Sumboo, 25, and Dwight Ramon Grant, 26, both of Hackney, London, were arrested following an investigation into county lines drug supply in Portsmouth by officers from 2017 to 2018.

The pair had leading roles in a network that sold more more a kilogram of crack cocaine and heroin across the city, making £13,240 worth of drug sales in just one month at one point.

More than £75,000 had passed through Sumboo’s bank accounts, thought to be the proceeds of his criminal activity, which involved a dedicated telephone number referred to as the ‘TONY’ line.

The investigation culminated in the pair’s arrest and a raid on a property in Crown Street on on July 4, 2018, when £460 of Class A drugs and £4,000 in cash were seized.

Following the end of their trial at Portsmouth Crown Court on Wednesday, the pair were convicted with a jury finding both Sumboo and Grant guilty of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday, Grant was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for his involvement while Sumboo was sentenced to seven years.

Sumboo was also found guilty of acquiring criminal property relating to a period between August 7, 2017, and July 4, 2018, and had previously plead guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place during an incident on December 21, 2017.

Sumboo had previously pleaded guilty to the drugs conspiracy and weapons charge and changed his plea to guilty to money laundering charges during trial, while Grant had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The jury found Grant guilty by unanimous verdict at the conclusion of the trial.

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Speaking after the sentencing, the officer in charge of the case, PC Chris Akass, said: ‘Thanks to the determination, professionalism and persistence of our officers, staff and legal team, this County Line has been dismantled.

‘Investigations such as these require painstaking work to ensure those responsible are put behind bars, not just those who are at the bottom of the chain.

‘This sentencing demonstrates that we will do everything we can to stop Portsmouth being targeted by violent drugs networks because we know the harm and misery they cause to our communities.

‘We can’t tackle this problem alone but with the help of our communities, we can take action against those intent on breaking the law.

Anyone with concerns about drug-related activity in their area should contact the police on 101, and dial 999 if a crime is underway.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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