A MAN has been jailed for dealing crack cocaine and heroin in Boscombe as part of a county lines operation.

Aaron Smith, 25, of Thornton Heath, pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply in Boscombe in July this year, drugs he was selling to pay off a debt incurred for losing drugs in Croydon.

He was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday.

Prosecuting, Robert Welling told the court plain-clothed officers saw Smith in Boscombe, an “area of particular concern for class A drug use”.

Mr Welling told the court: “It was clear he was dealing the drugs. He was then arrested by police and search found 14 wraps of crack cocaine and 28 wraps of heroin with potential value of £500 in sales should he have sold all these drugs.

“A phone and £175 cash was found, the phone was being used to receive orders and for him to receive instructions and where and how to sell the drugs.

“He did express he was concerned now he has lost more drugs, was anxious about his own safety and preferred to be remanded in custody.

“He was in control of the drug line, he had understand of the operation.”

Mitigating, Kevin Hill said the defendant had a lesser role, was suffering from PTSD, depression and anxiety and he had no influence on the people above him.

Despite this, Recorder Jane Rowley sentenced Smith on the basis that he played a significant role.

He was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment.

Recorder Rowley said: “You had in your possession prepared deals, a large quantity of cash, a mobile phone which was a drug line used by you to receive orders from those above.

“The drugs had the potential value of £500. To your credit, you told the officers why you were in Bournemouth, your financial advantage was to pay off a drug debt.

“That clearly means you had a significant role within a chain. It is folly to suggest this is a lesser role.

“You have acknowledged that a prison term is inevitable, only an immediate prison term can be justified.

“I hope you take up the therapeutic support in the prison which will help when you are released. Please use your time wisely.”