Drugs line duo sentenced for conspiracy offences

Two men who were arrested as part of a crack-down on drugs supply last year have been sentenced at Leicester Crown Court.

Marvin Kelly and Martin Evans were arrested in September 2021 when a number of warrants were executed under Operation Impose – the forces’ response to an increase in county lines drugs activity.

 

Kelly was arrested on day one of the action, outside his home address in Somerset Road, Coventry. As officers approached him, he attempted to dispose of the drugs he was carrying. Inside his address, a significant stash of heroin and crack cocaine was found, along with drug paraphernalia. There was also £18,000 in cash.

Evans, of Tame way in Hinckley, worked for the ‘Marcus line’ on behalf of Kelly for a short time in the summer of 2021, supplying drugs.

Kelly and Evans, both 38, were subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs – crack cocaine and heroin.

They both pleaded guilty at previous hearings at the same court and on Wednesday (6 April) they were sentenced.

• Evans was sentenced to two years and eight months
• Kelly was sentenced to six years

Senior Responsible Officer for Operation Impose DCI Gavin Drummond said: “I’m very pleased that these sentences mean two more people, who were responsible for bringing drugs into the county and selling them on, are behind bars for a considerable amount of time.

“The enforcement took a significant amount of drugs off the streets of Leicestershire – and some neighbouring counties - protecting vulnerable people at risk of being exploited by drug dealers.”