A TEENAGE Oldbury drug dealer who supplied heroin and crack cocaine as part of a ‘County Lines’ operation has been jailed for almost four years.

Brie Rutherford-Martell, 19, of Hall Street, Oldbury, was sentenced to three years and eight months at Stafford Crown Court last Friday (October 12) after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

Rutherford-Martell and fellow supplier Ahkeel Janny-Andrews, 18, of West Bromwich, were stopped by police on June 23, 2018 at the Station Café in Hednesford, Staffordshire.

The court heard that both men spotted the police officers and tried to evade them after ordering breakfasts but were quickly detained.

In total they had 91 wraps of heroin and 42 wraps of crack cocaine – which had a purity in excess of 95 per cent – on them, with a street value of £2,200.

Rutherford-Martell also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place on the day of his arrest. The black and gold lock-knife was discarded as he was arrested.

‘County Lines’ activity involves groups of young men from an urban area moving into smaller towns to distribute crack cocaine or heroin.

Judge Philip Wassall, sentencing, said: "An aggravating feature was the purity of the cocaine at 95 per cent plus. That was destined for further dilution.

"This is substantial dealing over a period of time."

Janny-Andrews, meanwhile, also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class-A drugs with a street value of £770 in Cannock in December 2017, after his fingerprints were found on drugs seized during the arrest of a 15-year-old boy.

He also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class-A drugs in March 2018, with a street value of £890, and was sentenced to six years and three weeks in jail in total.

Detective Inspector Lesley Fowler, of Staffordshire Police’s Major Organised Crime Department, said: “We welcome today’s outcome which is the result of a thorough and meticulous investigation.

“We will not tolerate drug supply within Staffordshire and the force remains committed to tackling those involved in such activity.”

Anyone who suspects drug supply in their area is encouraged to report it to police on 101 or by contacting independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online report form at www.crimestoppers.org