A DRUG dealer who travelled from West Yorkshire in a bid to flood the streets of East Lancashire with Class A drugs has been jailed.

Preston Crown Court heard how police stopped a black Volkswagen Golf being driven by defendant Benjamin Boyes in Townley Park, Burnley, on August 2.

Boyes, 27, of Currer Street, Bradford, was found in possession of cash, mobile phones and a quantity of crack cocaine and heroin. The drugs amounted to almost 100 street deals worth over £1,000.

After admitting to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, Judge Robert Altham jailed him for 39 months.

Speaking after the hearing, Sgt Haydn Sibley said: “County lines gangs pose a significant threat to vulnerable adults and children upon whom they rely to facilitate and conduct their illegal activities. Exposure to this level of gang exploitation has the potential to create both emotional and physical harm and we continue to make efforts to tackle this criminality.

“We are working closely with the other North West police forces and our partners in local authorities, health and social services to tackle county lines criminal activity so that we can keep our communities safe. Our activities form part of our on-going response to tackle serious and organised crime within our communities and in particular county lines activity.

“As always we need intelligence coming from members of the public to alert us to potential drugs activity so that we can investigate and continue to disrupt these organised gangs. I would encourage anyone who feels that they have information that could help to contact us or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously.”