Memphis Phillips, a 20-year-old drug dealer, has been sentenced to over three years in prison for exploiting vulnerable individuals to carry out his illegal drug operations.
Phillips, who had no fixed abode, ran a county lines drug network between London and Bedford, coercing vulnerable people into transporting and selling crack cocaine and heroin on his behalf. His victims were used in a practice known as “cuckooing,” where criminals take over people’s homes for drug dealing.
The authorities caught up with Phillips in July 2023 when he was recognized by Bedfordshire Police’s Boson unit during a proactive patrol. He was charged with involvement in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on October 17, 2023, to three years and nine months in prison.
Detective Constable Nema Behzadi from the Boson team stated, “Phillips exploited vulnerable people for his own gain, turning their homes into drug bases. I’m glad he’s behind bars, but there are still others like him causing harm.”
Police encourage the public to report any suspicious activity, such as unusual smells, frequent visitors at odd hours, or changes in a neighbor’s routine, to help combat county lines drug trafficking.