Two men have been sentenced for county lines drug offences in Southampton

Terail Buchanan-McDonald (pictured), 20, from King Georges Avenue, Watford, was sentenced to 40 months in prison, while Ke-Juan Barrow, 19, from Gloucester Road, Reading, received a two-year sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work.

The two men were arrested during County Lines Intensification Week, a nationally-organised campaign which sees forces across the country target county lines drug dealing through a week of action.

The court heard that the pair befriended a vulnerable man in September 2022, who lived at an address in Kent Street, Southampton, and moved into his home. From there, they took over the property to use as a base for their drug dealing operation, also known as ‘cuckooing’.

The victim was threatened with violence to prevent them speaking to officers, and they were never left alone at the property. In October, the pair returned to the property and Buchanan-McDonald assaulted the man, claiming he had ‘grassed’ on them to the police. The victim sustained significant bruises to his head and arms as a result.

The police were called and detained both men soon afterwards, seizing £695 in cash from Buchanan-McDonald, a wrap of heroin from Barrow, and several mobile phones. The phones were examined and showed texts selling heroin and crack cocaine to drug users in Southampton.

Buchanan-McDonald pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine and common assault, while Barrow pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine and possession of heroin.

At their sentencing at Southampton Crown Court on Monday (27 February), the wrap of drugs was also ordered to be destroyed.

DC Metcalfe from Western Investigations was the officer in the case. She said: “County lines drug dealing not only harms those taking the drugs, but also the vulnerable people who are exploited by criminals such as in this case.”

“Now they are behind bars, they cannot take over anyone else’s home to sell drugs in our city.”

“Please continue to report information about suspected cuckooing to us so we can make sure no other residents of Southampton are exploited in this way.”

Residents can report information about suspected cuckooing to the Hampshire Police by calling 101, reporting online via the police website, or calling Crimestoppers 100% anonymously via their website or 0800 555 111.