A SINGLE policeman working undercover on the streets of Boscombe has brought more than 30 drug dealers to justice.

The officer – known to the area’s drug pedlars as ‘Stan’ – carried out more than 100 deals as part of Operation Moped, a force initiative aimed at cracking down on the sale of class A drugs.

See all the pictures and sentences of those convicted in a gallery here

And his efforts saw jail terms with a total of more than 70 years handed down to offenders.

The seedy underbelly occupied by those who sell dangerous substances to desperate addicts has been exposed before the courts, with court hearing accounts of deals taking place at parks, B&Bs and even churches.

One deal took place in front of schoolchildren taking part in a PE lesson outdoors.

The officer began impersonating a user in April this year, meeting some of Boscombe’s most prolific street dealers.

Although a spokesperson from the force has refused to comment on tactics used by officers in the initiative, details of the huge operation have been revealed at court.

‘Stan’ queued with addicts behind George Fry Ltd in Christchurch Road and stood in public phone boxes in broad daylight to buy drugs.

During sentences, Judge John Harrow said: “Drug culture is like a cancer in Boscombe.”

He told many of the dealers before him that the area “has had enough”.

“People in Boscombe are sick and tired of drug dealers and drug users,” he said.

Grim accounts of addicts’ lives were given in mitigation, with details of clandestine deals taking place in broad daylight offered up to judges.

The officer, who has not appeared at court to give evidence, was sold wraps of ‘dark or white’ – code for crack cocaine and heroin – parcelled in clingfilm.

On one occasion, a deal was made before members of a bowls club playing the sport during the afternoon.

‘Stan’ usually spoke to men on the telephone, but was to discover it was often vulnerable, drug addicted women who appeared to complete the trade.

Dorset Police’s Regeneration Inspector for Boscombe Chris Weeks said: “The message to anyone involved in on-street drug dealing remains – if you are drug dealing, it will not be tolerated and you will be arrested.”

The drug dealers caged for selling class A drugs on the streets of Boscombe

They have different backgrounds - among them are teenagers, grandmothers and full-time carers

 – but all share one thing.

They use the streets of Boscombe to sell wraps of crack cocaine or heroin for as little as £10.

Gary Dunleavy, 47, of Walpole Road, is one of those who admitted three counts of dealing.

Judge Samuel Wiggs spared him a prison sentence after his partner, who needs full-time care, told of how she has lost more than two-and-a-half stone since his arrest as she can’t feed herself.

He dealt drugs in a children’s play park in Borthwick Road.

Bournemouth Echo:

Tracy Abela, 42, of Palmerston Road, wept and shook after Judge John Harrow sentenced her to 20 months for supplying crack cocaine.

The judge also imprisoned Peter Andrews, 38, who told the court he had been “chasing” heroin for the last 10 years.

Mitigating, John Reynolds asked Judge Harrow to spare him a harsh sentence as drugs are so commonplace in prison.

“He has been clean for 10 weeks now and he desperately asks for this opportunity to show he can keep going,” Mr Reynolds said.

“He is being offered heroin, crack cocaine and spice [synthetic cannabis] five or six times a week [in custody].”

But the judge said: “[Drug use] is widespread and people like you are supporting it.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Billy Haynes, 19, of Christchurch, admitted he “needed to be punished” after the court heard he sold drugs “like sweets” – proof, his barrister said, of his naivety.

But Judge Harrow caged him for 40 months, telling him: “You were very busy selling drugs on the streets openly and brazenly over a period of 12 days or so, and it is precisely this kind of mischief people who live in Boscombe are sick and tired of.”

Gary Tottingham, 46, of Boscombe, looked staggered after he was sentenced to 16 months behind bars for supplying cocaine by the same judge.

He was snared after allowing a dealer known as 'Ray-Ban Man' to use the toilet in his flat.

Richard Tutt, mitigating, said: “The dealer was, to use a street term, 'plugged' - he had the drugs inside him and was hinting he needed to go somewhere to retrieve them and carry out the transaction,” he said.

“He asked who had an address nearby and ultimately but with some reluctance Mr Tottingham said yes, he could use his flat. He had never been there before and Mr Tottingham was worried about this man knowing where he lived.”

Four of those convicted are under the age of 18 and cannot be named for legal reasons.  A further three cases are yet to conclude

Dorset Police: We're not stopping our crackdown on drug dealing in Boscombe 

POLICE have pledged to continue their battle against drug dealing in Boscombe despite the end of the hugely-successful Operation Moped.

The operation last summer saw 37 people convicted and was one of the biggest operations in Dorset in recent years.

But since then a further 47 arrests have been made and 35 vehicles seized in the area.

Chris Weeks, Dorset Police Regeneration Inspector for Boscombe, said: “Our communities told us that on-street drug dealing and anti-social behaviour is a real day to day concern and we acted. One of the results is the high number of arrests and convictions achieved through Operation Moped.

“But we are not stopping here. Following on is Operation Furlong in which Dorset Police continues to focus on tackling drug dealing across Boscombe.”

Insp Weeks said uniformed officers will be carrying out high-visibility patrols as well as acting on intelligence and taking positive action.

“This form of police activity sends out a clear message that if you deal drugs you will be arrested and any financial gains achieved by individuals through crime will be confiscated” he added.

“The team’s work to date has caused significant disruption to those involved in drug dealing and members of the community have reported a reduction in on-street drug dealing.”

Since October 1 there have been 47 arrests for drug-related matters and eight Misuse of Drugs warrants have been executed.

Drugs dogs have been used, 35 vehicles seized and 120 people reported for traffic offences in a bid to disrupt drug dealing activities.

Officers have seized 218 wraps of crack cocaine and 233 wraps of herin with an estimated street value of more than £4,500.  A total of £10,000 in cash has been confiscated from criminals.

“This style of policing will continue throughout 2015 and we want to reassure our communities that drug dealing will not be tolerated” said Insp Weeks.   

“I urge members of the community to report individuals who they believe are involved in drug dealing – the information will be dealt with in confidence. The more information we receive the more action we can take to disrupt and stop on-street drug dealing.”

Anyone with information about possible drug offences should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.