Londoner Jailed for Suppling Crack and Heroin to Great Yarmouth
Ashton Cooper, 23, from Woolwich, has been locked up for four years for pushing crack cocaine and heroin into Great Yarmouth.
The man was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Monday, 21 September, after pleading guilty to two counts of drug supply.
Operation Orochi Cracks the Case
Cooper was arrested in London on 30 January 2020 following a joint sting by Norfolk Constabulary and the Met Police.
The forces used Operation Orochi, which tracks mobile phone data to expose County Lines drug networks.
Cooper was identified as the “line holder” for the ‘LJ’ gang, running the crack and heroin racket in Great Yarmouth from 21 November 2019 to 27 January 2020.
Thousands of Drug Deal Texts Exposed
Police uncovered more than 20,500 calls and texts linked to the drug line over just two months.
“Line holders like Cooper are facilitating the exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults,” said Detective Sergeant Craig Bidwell from Norfolk Police’s County Lines Team.
“This investigation shows how forces working together can shut down County Lines at their source.”
Norfolk Police vowed to keep fighting back against dangerous drug networks exploiting vulnerable communities.
