County lines drug runners sentenced

Two men involved in criminal networks exporting illegal drugs operating in Loughborough, have been sentenced.

Richard Clarbour and Philip Carter appeared at Leicester Crown Court this week after previously pleading guilty to supplying class A drugs.

Clarbour, currently of HMP Leicester, appeared on Wednesday (24 July) and was given 20 months in jail – 12 months for one count of supplying a class A drug and a further eight months for an unrelated theft offence.

The 37-year-old admitted to selling cocaine on 26 November 2018 in Waterside Close, Loughborough – after the deal was arranged through a county line operating in the town.

Carter, 38, of Frederick Street, Loughborough, pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying class A drugs – after he sold cocaine and heroin on 25 July 2018.

The deal, that took place in Tuckers Road, Loughborough, was organised through another county line operating in the area.

Yesterday (25 July) he was given a 16 month sentence, suspended for two years.

Both defendants were arrested as part of Operation Lionheart – the force’s crackdown on class A drugs and associated criminality.

As part of the operation, police are encouraging communities to know the signs of county lines and report concerns about the suspected sale and distribution of drugs in their area.

For more information about the signs of county lines visit: www.leics.police.uk/countylines