Dealers targeted vulnerable young people as part of 'Kev' drug line

A pair of drug dealers have been jailed for their part in the 'Kev' county lines operation. Connor Sholliker, 24, and Kaine Currens, 23, helped to flood Shrewsbury with class-A drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin.

A court heard that the duo targeted vulnerable young people and used their homes as a base for their drug dealing in a practice known as ‘cuckooing’. The convictions follow an investigation by the local organised crime team which started in June this year.

It was quickly established that both men were part of the ‘Kev’ county line, which operated from Merseyside and was responsible for bringing large quantities of class A drugs into Shrewsbury, West Mercia Police has said.

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Both men had links to phone numbers identified as drug lines - dedicated phone numbers used to run the organised drug-dealing network. Sholliker, of Wilson Road in Prescot, Merseyside, was sentenced to six years for being concerned with the supply of class-A drugs.

Currens, of Manor Road in Hadley, Telford, was handed a three-year sentence for the same offence. They were both sentenced on Friday, October 18, at Shrewsbury Crown Court, sitting at Telford Justice Centre.

Detective Constable Andrea Marston, of the local organised crime team in Shropshire, said: "Drugs are a blight on our community and ruin lives. We’re constantly working to rid our streets of drugs and I’m glad that we’ve been able to dismantle this line and that Sholliker and Currens will now face time behind bars for their part in it.

“The local community are key in helping us to tackle drug dealing and I’d always urge anyone with any information or concerns about drug dealing or drug use in their area to let us know.”

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police added: "The easiest way to report any suspected criminal activity is on our website. Any bit of information, no matter how small it may seem, could help make a big difference. You can report online at Report a crime | West Mercia Police.

"Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name, and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111."

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