Convicted drug dealers made subject of 10-year Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders (STPOs)
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Back in August this year six men were jailed for a total of 34 years and 3 months for drug and modern slavery offences.
Operation Bridport was the investigation surrounding an organised crime group from Newport who were exploiting teenagers in Neath to sell their drugs on their behalf.
Following on from that sentencing three men have each been given 10-year Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders (STPOs). They are:
• Dwayde Stock, aged 28, from Newport
• David Rustham Allen, aged 30 from Newport
• Justin James Hensall, aged 36, from Newport
Detective Inspector Marc Gardner said:
“This effective use of modern slavery legislation shows our dedication to protecting vulnerable people affected by the illegal drug trade. Too many children and teenagers are being recruited as drug mules for county lines drug dealers.
“The issuing of these STPOs severely restricts the three men in their use of mobile phones, SIM cards and computers for the full length of the order. They will also not be able to drive a car with anyone under the age of 18 inside, apart from family members, and will need to register their addresses, mobile phone numbers and computers with police.
"These orders are crucial because they are essentially about preventing these three men from harming further victims.
“County lines pulls a wide range of vulnerable people into its circle and has a devastating impact on our communities of Swansea Neath Port Talbot that goes beyond the harmful drugs themselves.
“In this instance we have not just brought the individuals to justice, we have also safeguarded vulnerable children and protected countless other people from county lines.
“I want to get the message out there to others running county lines that Swansea Neath Port Talbot is a hostile environment for organised criminals to operate.
"We will use every piece of legislation available to us to firstly convict you and then use orders such as these to restrict your ability to consider further criminality upon your release.”