A county lines gang that trafficked young and vulnerable children to sell drugs in Great Yarmouth has been jailed for 40 years, in a case of exploitation described by the sentencing judge as “calculated and deliberate”.

One gang member was jailed for ten years and nine months after pleading guilty to arranging the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, along with two counts of conspiring to supply drugs. Four other gang members also pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply drugs.

Commenting on the case, Dame Sara Thornton, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said:

“County lines gangs exploit children and vulnerable people, subjecting them to threats and violence and forcing them to sell drugs across every region of the UK.

In this case, the criminals trafficked children to sell drugs on the streets of Great Yarmouth, deliberately targeting their young victims. Some of these have now been identified as potential victims of modern slavery.

In a first for the region, the Modern Slavery Act was used to convict one of the gang members of human trafficking. He received a sentence of 10 years and 9 months, demonstrating the utter seriousness which must underpin our response to these violent and organised crime groups which prey on vulnerability. Altogether, the gang was sentenced to over 40 years in prison.

If you have concerns that a young person is being forced into county lines drug dealing, call the police on 101 or 999. Alternatively, you can anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Childline on 0800 1111.”

Read more on Norfolk Constabulary's website.