TWO ‘county lines’ drug dealers who moved from London to Wales to exploit vulnerable people into selling crack cocaine are behind bars.

Kelly Inacio and Thulani Khumalo were involved in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs and £30,000 in cash was seized from a house in the city along with designer clothing.

The pair were jailed for 40 months each by Judge Philip Harris-Jenkins at Cardiff Crown Court.

Inacio, aged 24, of Clifton Street, Cardiff, admitted conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug of crack cocaine.

Khumalo, aged 27, also of Clifton Street, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property and conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug of crack cocaine.

Outside the court, Police Constable Joshua Gale, Gwent Police’s officer in the case, said: “Both Inacio and Khumalo were convicted as part of a county line drug operation. Both males, originally from London, moved to South Wales and systematically exploited vulnerable persons in Newport to facilitate the supply of drugs locally and make a considerable amount of money for themselves.

“Indeed, officers recovered in excess of £30,000 cash from an address in Newport along with designer clothing.”

PC Gale added: “Neither person had an occupation – they funded their lifestyles by preying on the misery of others.

“This investigation was carried out by the East Priority Tasking Team who are dedicated to proactively policing the streets of Newport and reducing any threat, risk or harm to the public.”

County lines is a term used when drug gangs from big cities expand their operations to smaller cities and towns, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs.

These dealers will use dedicated mobile phone lines, known as ‘deal lines’, to take orders from drug users.

Heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine are the most common drugs being supplied and ordered. In most instances, the users or customers will live in a different area to where the dealers and networks are based, so drug runners are needed to transport the drugs and collect payment.

PC Gale said: “Late last year, Gwent Police launched ‘Op Jigsaw’ – a campaign designed to bring our communities together to fight serious organised crime.

“Nobody knows their streets better than those who live there. If residents see something that either seems out of place or in most cases, if something just does not add up, then please contact us and we will take appropriate action.

“What may seem like a small detail to you, could be the final piece in a much bigger puzzle.”