Man involved in County Lines drug supply ordered to pay back thousands of pounds

A man involved in a drugs supply operation between Surrey and the Isle of Wight has been ordered to pay back thousands of pounds made from his criminal activities.

Kieran Rainford also had his extensive collection of designer trainers confiscated by the courts for destruction, following a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Newport Crown Court on 15 September this year.

The 39-year-old had previously been jailed for five and a half years on 14 January this year at the same court, for his involvement in the supply of heroin and cocaine between 19 November 2019 and 15 February 2021.

Shortly after his arrest in the Fareham area, Rainford was charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs – offences he initially denied before pleading guilty in Southampton Crown Court on 24 November 2021.

Phone data obtained by the police investigation revealed Rainford, of Cressall Close in Leatherhead, Surrey, was in charge of five phones which he used to send out marketing messages to drug users on the Island, in addition to his own personal phone.

Following a lengthy investigation and careful analysis of phone data, officers were able to link Rainford to the ‘Mikey’ County Lines drug network.

During last week’s POCA hearing, Newport Crown Court heard that Rainford benefitted to the tune of £68,662.18 from his involvement in the drugs supply line.

A Confiscation Order for the money was raised, and it was determined that Rainford currently has £9,756.15 available to him which he must pay within the next three months. Under the Confiscation Order, police and the courts can apply to seize further money and assets from Rainford in the future until the full £68k benefit has been paid off.

Tackling County Lines drug supply and the associated harm is a priority for us. We encourage anyone who has information about the supply of drugs in their area to report this to police so we can develop a strong intelligence picture and take action.

You can call us on 101, or submit information via our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Alternatively, you can make a report 100% anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Spotting the signs

Some common signs of drug dealing and County Lines activity to look out for include:

• An increase in visitors/cars to a house or flat
• Regularly changing residents
• When you see the occupant, they may appear anxious or distracted
• Substance misuse or drugs paraphernalia in the vicinity of a property
• Changes in young people, for example having new unaffordable things, going missing or unexplained injuries.