Jail For Man Involved In Crack And Heroin Dealing, After Brighton-Focussed 'County Lines' Bust

Monday, 14 June 2021 12:00

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Bryan Godoy-Lojan of Southwark, London (Photo: © Sussex Police)

A man has been jailed for his involvement in crack-cocaine and heroin dealing line "Columbian Mitch", which brought highly addictive illegal drugs from London into Sussex.

Bryan Godoy-Lojan, 24, of Avondale Square, Southwark, London, appeared at Hove Crown Court on 2 June charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.

This is the so-called "county lines" pattern of drug dealing, in which illegal substances controlled by criminal gangs in London make their way into drug supplies in more rural areas, such as Sussex.

Officers have said, in the past, such gangs are often involved in modern slavery and the criminal exploitation of young or otherwise vulnerable people, to carry out their schemes.

According to Sussex Police, who carried out the investigation that led to imprisonment, Godoy-Lojan was found to be operating a drug line under the name 'Colombian Mitch' from July 2019 to January 2020.

Detectives linked him to a phone number used to carry out drug deals through telecoms analysis.

Text messages revealed exchanges between 'Colombian Mitch' and people wanting to buy drugs.

Through a series of searches conducted in relation to the investigation, police were able to seize significant quantities of heroin and crack cocaine from addresses in Brighton.

Officers also recovered several hundred pounds in cash.

When the case against him came to court, Godoy-Lojan pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment.

DC Mark Pinder said:

"Drug dealing will absolutely not be tolerated in Brighton and Hove and every day our officers are out in uniform and plain clothes working to keep this city safe.

"We're pleased the court has recognised the impact of the defendant's actions on the local community by serving him with a significant custodial sentence.

“The investigation is a continued effort by Sussex Police to robustly target and dismantle County Lines that are adversely affecting our communities.

"Anyone with information about drug dealing is urged to report it to us online or by calling 101, so we can take action."