A London man has been sentenced to more than four years in prison for running a drugs line in Southampton.

Hameed Baig, 25, of Bessemer Place in Greenwich, appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday (4 January), where he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and crack cocaine, possession of criminal property and possession of a zombie knife. Baig had previously pleaded guilty to the offences.

The court heard how a police investigation into a county line operating in Southampton in 2022 identified the person leading the line as living in Netley and a warrant was carried out at a property on Station Road in December 2022.  Cannabis and several phones were recovered, as well as £4,809 in cash which was located in two bedrooms. Officers also seized £22,000 in cash, which was discovered in the loft.

Enquiries from inside the address also led police to search a Ford Focus parked nearby, which contained a large quantity of crack cocaine, heroin and cocaine, drugs paraphernalia and a pistol.

Three men, including Baig, were arrested and an examination of the phones seized from the address showed that they had been used to advertise the ‘Medz’ drugline, supplying Class A and Class B drugs in Southampton.

With support from the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Orochi team, which specialises in investigations into county lines linked to London, the investigation led to Baig being charged with some offences.

A second person, Pasha Patel, 21, of September Close in Eastleigh, also appeared in court yesterday where he was handed a 20-month sentence in connection with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and converting criminal property, suspended for two years.

Detective Constable James Pieri, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Western Proactive Investigations Department, said: “Baig and Patel were involved in the supply of some of the most harmful drugs we deal with. The harm caused by drug supply cannot be understated and it often brings associated criminality, including violence and knife crime.

“I am pleased that we have taken another Southampton drugs line out of the city’s streets and welcome the sentences issued to Baig and Patel. The judge noted in sentencing Patel that it was rare that those involved in Class A drugs supply do not go to prison, and his was one of very few cases. Instead, he will be required to adhere to strict conditions, as well as carrying out unpaid work within the community.

“Drug supply causes harm and misery to our communities and we will continue disrupting it and making sure that Southampton is a hostile environment for drug dealers to operate in.

“We encourage anyone who suspects drug-related activity to be taking place in their neighbourhood to report it to us. Every piece of information helps us to build a stronger intelligence picture and allows us to take action.”