Peterborough county lines dealer jailed after thousands of pounds of drugs found at home

Sam Van Uden, 22, was identified as running the ‘Scrappy’ county line operating out of Peterborough, using a mobile phone line to mass-sell crack cocaine and heroin.

Evidence obtained from his mobile phones showed him bulk messaging a ‘broadcast’ to ‘customers’ offering to supply the drugs.

On 18 May, a warrant was carried out at his home in Paston which uncovered more than £3,000 worth of drugs.

Van Uden, of Chelmer Garth, was arrested and later charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, as well as possession of cannabis, which he admitted in court.

On Monday, 26 July, he appeared at Cambridge Crown Court where he was sentenced to three years in prison. A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing will take place on 11 October.

DC Jacob Reeves, who investigated, said: “County lines drug dealing is a priority for policing nationally, not just here in Cambridgeshire. This form of drug dealing often sees exploitation of vulnerable people, human trafficking and extreme violence, which is why it is of such a high importance for us to tackle and make our communities safer.

“My plea is for anyone who has concerns about county lines activity, or drug dealing in general, to get in touch with us. Drugs ‘runners’ are invariably children, often young teenage boys, who are groomed with money and gifts or threatened with violence.”