A 19-year-old man from Bognor Regis has been jailed for more than two years after police dismantled a drug supply line operating in the area.
Mateusz Stepien, of Fletcher Way, Bognor Regis, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court after being convicted of running the ‘MZY’ drugs line, supplying heroin, crack cocaine and other controlled substances.
Sussex Police said officers executed a search warrant at a property in Fletcher Way on 27 June, following intelligence linked to drug supply in the town.
During the search, officers seized 104 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, multiple mobile phones and SIM cards, more than £1,000 in cash, and a number of items associated with drug dealing.
Stepien was found at the address and arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He was charged the following day, 28 June, at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, with multiple offences including being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin, two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, possession with intent to supply a Class B drug, and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
He appeared later the same day at Portsmouth Crown Court, where he initially pleaded guilty to all offences before changing his plea to not guilty on 4 August.
Following a trial, Stepien appeared again at Portsmouth Crown Court on 20 October, where he was found guilty on all counts. He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.
On 12 December, Stepien was sentenced to two years and one month in prison. He was also ordered to forfeit £1,402, along with all seized drugs, phones and paraphernalia for destruction, and to pay a £228 victim surcharge.
Detective Inspector Gary Jacobs said: “I am pleased to see the distribution of illegal substances through this drug line disrupted.
“Illicit drugs and the supply of these substances often targets and most acutely harms the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“Sussex Police will continue to relentlessly pursue and apprehend individuals involved in this type of criminality to bring them to justice and keep communities across Sussex safe.”
Add your first comment to this post