A Huyton drug dealer has been jailed for three years after officers discovered cannabis plants growing in a bedroom cupboard next to a baby's cot.
James Furlong, 23, of Logwood Road, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 26 June after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, heroin and cannabis, and the production of cannabis.
The case began in October last year when plain-clothes officers on patrol in St Helens seized a mobile phone from a man they suspected of dealing drugs. Analysis of the device uncovered numerous messages offering cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis for sale.
Discovery at the home address
When officers attended Furlong's address to arrest him, they found cannabis plants being grown in a cupboard in a bedroom — immediately beside a baby's cot, with electrical cables running nearby.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Stratton of Merseyside Police's Project Medusa said officers had expected to arrest Furlong over the messages on his phone, but were shocked by what they found at the property.
"Despite already being under investigation, you can imagine the surprise when they discovered cannabis plants growing in a cupboard next to the cot with cables surrounding it, potentially putting the baby's life in danger of a fire," Stratton said.
County Lines crackdown continues
Project Medusa leads Merseyside Police's daily response to county lines activity, targeting weapons, drugs and illicit cash while identifying people at risk of exploitation by organised crime groups.
Stratton added: "Organised crime destroys communities and the lives of those taking drugs and those who are often coerced into dealing them on behalf of these gangs. The gangs who operate these lines use young and vulnerable people to do their dirty work for them and we need to put a stop to this."
"Our work to remove these people from our streets and bring them to justice will continue on a daily basis and I would ask anyone who has information about this kind of activity to come forward so action can be taken."
Merseyside Police urged anyone with information to contact the force via its website, by calling 101, or through Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The Eyes Open campaign provides guidance on spotting signs of county lines exploitation at merseyside.police.uk.
