'County Lines' drug dealing gang foiled in Scarborough

Reynolds, Hawkins and Page were all sentenced for their roles in the 'County Lines' drug dealing operation. Credit: North Yorkshire Police

The ringleader of an out-of-town drug dealing gang operating in Scarborough has been jailed for nearly a decade.

Reece Reynolds, 21, from Larkhill Walk in Leeds, was part of a so-called "county lines" - where criminals move into an area and exploit vulnerable people to sell drugs for them - drug running operation.

Reynolds was jailed for nine and a half years. York Crown Court heard how he directed the operation.

His accomplices Jordan Page, 20, also from Leeds, and Jacqueline Hawkins, 50, from Filey, were both arrested.

Jordan Page was also sentenced for his role in the County Lines operation. Credit: North Yorkshire Police
Jacqueline Hawkins also had a hand in the drug dealing. Credit: North Yorkshire Police

Police caught Page and Hawkins in possession of 39 wraps of cocaine and 30 wraps of heroin in April. They had been travelling in a taxi from Hawkins' home in Filey into Scarborough when police pulled the vehicle over.

Reynolds was arrested at Hawkins' home. He had more than £1,000 cash in his possession and a mobile phone police believe was used to sell drugs.

All three were sentenced by a judge at York Crown Court on Friday. Reynolds was found guilty of possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Page and Hawkins pleaded guilty to the same offence at earlier hearings.

Commenting after the sentencing, detective constable Darrel Temple, who led the investigation, said: "The sentences handed down to Reynolds, Page and Hawkins show that individuals caught in North Yorkshire dealing class A drugs will face severe consequences for their actions.

"So-called 'county lines' drug dealing is an issue which continues to have a negative impact on individuals and communities in Scarborough and North Yorkshire Police will actively target the people at the source of this problem."