Bury St Edmunds County Lines drug dealer Zac Patterson jailed for over seven years

A man involved in County Lines drug dealing in Bury St Edmunds who went under the pseudonym 'Frankie' has been jailed.

Zac Patterson, 28, of Iverson Road in London, appeared before St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday where he sentenced to seven years and 10 months in prison.

He was arrested in Hertfordshire on January 13 last year for being concerned in supplying controlled drugs.

The arrest was made as part of Operation Orochi, led by the Metropolitan Police, to tackle County Lines drug dealing operating between the capital and Suffolk.

Following his arrest, Patterson was charged with being concerned in supplying cocaine and heroin from December 1, 2019, to March 30, 2020.

At a hearing on June 16 he pleaded guilty to both counts of being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine.

The case concerned the investigation into the supply of crack cocaine and heroin by a drug dealer network operating in Bury St Edmunds, under the pseudonym ‘Frankie’.

Two mobile phone numbers were being used as the lines to sell drugs via bulk text messages and following investigations it was established both phone lines were linked to Patterson.

Investigating officer DC Rob Learney of the Serious Crime Disruption Team (SCDT) said: “Patterson paid no regard to the harm and impact he was causing in our communities and his sole motivation was to profit from his illegal activities.

"We hope this sends out a strong message out to people that county line drug-dealing will not be tolerated."

The SCDT core aim is to disrupt serious and organised gangs whose criminal activity focuses on issues such as drug supply and harmful personal acquisitive crime such as robbery and burglary.

The team develop the relevant information and intelligence, conduct enforcement activity and then provide an officer who will build the case and see the investigation through to trial.

Operation Orochi has been in place in Suffolk since February 2020.

Residents are urged to contact police on 101 if they suspect drug dealing is taking place in their area.

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