Police received information that a man was being exploited by a drug dealer in his home in Abbots Way, Ely in January.

Officers visited the property and found 24-year-old Jorge Correia attempting to flush £1,000 of crack cocaine and heroin down the toilet while also trying to evade police by climbing out of the window.

The property was searched and officers went on to find mobile phones linking him to the ‘Alex’ county drug line as well as about £1,000 in cash.

Correia admitted travelling from his home in Hawthorn Road, London to Ely between April 2021 and January 2022.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday (17 March) Correia was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after previously pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and possession of criminal property.

Detective Constable Tor Sayer said: “County lines is the name used to describe a crime network trafficking drugs using dedicated mobile phones.

“Correia was running the Alex line and cuckooing a home of a vulnerable person by taking over his property to use as a drugs base.

“We’re working to stop people like Correia getting a foothold in our communities. County lines is exploitative drug supply and is devastating to local communities, often beyond those who are directly involved in the local drugs scene.”