Man jailed for supplying cocaine and heroin in Southampton

A man has been jailed for supplying cocaine and heroin in Southampton.

Michael Ricketts, 60, of Randolph Street, Southampton, appeared at Southampton Crown Court today (15 August) having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

He was sentenced to three years in prison and drugs, paraphernalia and phones we seized in connection with this investigation were ordered to be destroyed.

The investigation carried out Operation Monument, Hampshire Constabulary's county lines drug network team, showed that Ricketts was supplying drugs for the Fire county line, which operated between Birmingham and Southampton.

Ricketts was stopped and searched in Southampton by an officer on 22 July, 2020, leading to mobile phones being seized.

DC Rob Harnett, who led the investigation, said: "Examination of the phones showed that Ricketts was a trusted lieutenant in the Fire network, having direct contact with the line holder and running the street-level end of the operation.

"By taking him off the streets, we have weakened the drug network's influence in Southampton and frustrated their efforts to pump the most harmful drugs into our neighbourhoods for profit.

"Ricketts was also a customer as well as a dealer, highlighting how these organisations exploit the most vulnerable in our community.

"Now behind bars, he can get the help he needs and also face justice for his crimes.

"I hope this investigation shows how seriously we take drug-related crime and encourages you to report any information you may have about drug dealing in Southampton to us so we can make our city safer."

Contact us on 101 or report online, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on their website or by calling 0800 555 111.