A REPEAT county lines drug dealer, who brought crack cocaine and heroin into Harrogate, has been jailed for five years and four months.

Lee Bavin, 27, from Bradford was sentenced at York Crown Court today (January 15) following an investigation by North Yorkshire Police’s proactive drugs team, Operation Expedite.

In September 2018, Bavin, who was part of a wider network of dealers and drug runners targeting Harrogate, was a passenger in a white Mercedes that was stopped near Huby by the force’s Operational Support Unit as it travelled towards Harrogate.

Officers searched the vehicle – and Bavin – and found 40 wraps of heroin and 140 wraps of crack cocaine protruding from his underwear. They also seized 82 methandienone tablets and a sim card from his bag and three mobile phones from the car. He was arrested and an investigation was launched.

Bavin’s mobile phone showed he was linked to a prolific ‘county line’ that was operating between Bradford and Harrogate offering drugs for sale through mass text messaging.

During the investigation, Bavin came to the attention of the police on a number of occasions and was arrested again in January 2020 after plain clothed officers saw a suspected drug deal taking place in Harrogate. They followed the suspects to a block of flats where Bavin was found hiding and in possession of over £800, 19 wraps of heroin and a phone.

Officers applied for him to be remanded in custody at this point due to the prolific nature of his offending and the to protect the wider public. This was granted by the courts.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of possessing heroin with intent to supply, one of possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply, and one of possessing a class C drug (methandienone) with intent to supply.

He changed his plea to guilty to all offences when he appeared at court in November last year.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Tom Barker, of Harrogate’s Operation Expedite Team, said: “Lee Bavin is a prolific offender who showed no regard whatsoever to police action. I am hopeful that while he is in prison he is able to reflect on the crimes he has committed and receives help to rectify his criminal behaviour.

“Drug dealing causes misery in our communities we hope local people are reassured that we are committed to disrupting it and taking those responsible off the streets.

“We urge anyone with information to continue to report information about drug dealing in their area. It’s vital in helping us piece together the bigger picture. No matter how insignificant you think the information is, please call us. And if you don’t want to speak to us, you can pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

County lines is the term given to a form of organised crime in which drug dealers, usually from urban areas, such as West Yorkshire or Manchester, target smaller towns and cities. It takes its name from the mobile phone lines used by dealers to advertise drugs for sale. Violence and intimidation is prevalent within county lines. Due to the exploitation of vulnerable people associated with it, it is a key, operational priority for North Yorkshire Police.