Liverpool Man Jailed for Nearly 10 Years Over Ruthless County Lines Drug Empire
Yacine Djalti’s Long Prison Term
Yacine Djalti, 20, from Liverpool with no fixed address, has been slammed with a hefty nine years and nine months behind bars. He was convicted for a shocking string of crimes, including conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, criminal damage, carrying a knife in public, and racially charged public disorder.
Drug Network Spanned South Cumbria
Djalti led a brutal “county line” operation dubbed the “Mo,” pushing crack cocaine and heroin into south Cumbria between July and August 2021. The gang exploited vulnerable people and even used a child to smuggle drugs into the area.
Other Gang Members Also Locked Up
- Fred Williams, 21, Liverpool – 2 years 10 months for drug distribution
- Gary Crompton, 59, Liverpool – 2 years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine
- Ben Heavyside, 31, Barrow – 3 years 4 months for heroin supply and exploitation offences
- Derek Duncan, 50, Carlisle – 2 years for drug conspiracy
- Marc Woods, 44, Barrow – 13 months for allowing premises to be used for drug dealing
Police Crack Down on Djalti’s Operation
Cumbria Police raided an Abbey Road property in Barrow-in-Furness on July 28, 2021, uncovering 80 wraps of crack cocaine and 98 wraps of heroin worth £3,600, plus £360 cash. Three gang members were caught red-handed.
Another raid on August 5 at a Titchfield Street flat seized 89 heroin wraps and over £1,000 cash, arresting dealer Ben Heavyside and a Merseyside juvenile.
The final arrest came on August 17 in Liverpool during a joint operation by Cumbria and Merseyside Police. Djalti tried to escape on foot, ditching phones, cash, and a knife. The recovered phones linked him to the county line drug ring.
“Djalti’s drug operation preyed on the vulnerable for profit,” said a Community Serious and Organised Crime Unit spokesperson.
The spokesperson added: “We want to send a clear message to those dealing Class A drugs in south Cumbria: we will track you down no matter where you come from.”
Police Call for Public Help
Authorities urge anyone with information on drug dealing to come forward to help shut down these dangerous networks for good.