A man who operated a crack cocaine supply line in Southampton has been sentenced following a joint investigation by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and The Metropolitan Police.

Daniel Adeyemi, 23, of Holmes Close, Netley, appeared at Southampton Crown Court today (15 December), where he was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment for his involvement in the county line known as ‘GUS’.

Adeyemi was identified by the Met’s Operation Orochi team as the holder of the GUS line, which was active between October 2024 and January 2025.

On 11 February 2025, officers executed warrants at addresses in London and Netley. Adeyemi was located in a room at an address on Bancroft Gardens in Harrow alongside nine wraps of crack cocaine and cannabis.

Officers also discovered a ‘bulk marketing message’ which is a typical county lines broadcast used to promote the availability of crack cocaine and other Class A drugs to drug users. Two phone numbers used to send these messages were traced back to Adeyemi’s Netley address.

Adeyemi pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, admitting that the phones linked to the line were registered to him. However, he claimed he was not responsible for sending the ‘marketing messages’ and was only holding the phones on behalf of others. He further acknowledged that he knew the phones were being used to sell drugs, but maintained he believed this was limited to nitrous oxide rather than Class A substances.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and possession of crack cocaine, but argued that the drugs found at the Harrow address were for his personal use only and the scales discovered were used to check he was receiving the correct quantity of drugs ordered for personal consumption.

‘County lines’ refers to when drug gangs from major cities set up networks in regional areas and use vulnerable people and children to carry, store and sell their drugs for them. The ‘line’ refers to the phone line being used.

Police Staff Investigator Adam Cresswell, who led the investigation, said:

“We remain committed to dismantling county lines operations and protecting our communities from the harm caused by Class A drugs.

“This successful joint operation between Hampshire Constabulary and the Met truly demonstrates our shared determination to disrupt and dismantle county lines running across the UK and target those who seek to profit from the exploitation of others.

“These networks destroy lives. They exploit vulnerable adults and children, fuel violence, and bring fear and misery not only to those caught up in the supply chain, but to the wider community where these operations take place.

“Today’s sentence shows that if you choose to run drugs into Southampton, you will be identified, you will be pursued, and you will be brought before the courts to face justice.

“Much of our work happens out of sight. Every report from the public – no matter how small – helps us build the wider intelligence picture that allows us to target offenders like Daniel Adeyemi and shut down the lines causing harm in our neighbourhoods.”

 

If you have concerns about drug‑related activity in your area, please contact police on 101 or report online via https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

You can also report information 100% anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/