A man involved in a drugs supply operation between Surrey and the Isle of Wight, in which he would send out marketing texts to Island drug users, has been jailed for more than 5 years.
Officers from Hampshire Constabulary investigated 38-year-old Kieran Rainford’s involvement in the supply of heroin and cocaine from 19th November 2019 up to 15th February 2021, when Rainford was arrested in the Fareham area.
Shortly after his arrest, he was charged with 2 counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Rainford, of Cressall Close in Leatherhead, Surrey, initially denied the offences but admitted these at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday 24th November 2021.
Phone data obtained by the police investigation revealed Rainford was in charge of 5 phones which he used to send out marketing messages to drug users on the Island, in addition to his own personal phone.
Following a lengthy investigation and careful analysis of phone data, officers were able to link Rainford to the ‘Mikey’ County Lines drug network.
Appearing at Isle of Wight Crown Court today (Friday), Recorder Paul Garlick QC jailed Rainford for 5-and-a-half years. Rainford was also ordered to pay a £181 victim surcharge.
Detective Constable Rob Harnett, who investigated the case, said:
“Investigations of this nature are always lengthy and complex, but we were able to identify that drug users on the Isle of Wight were receiving regular contact from a dealer known only as ‘Mikey’.
“The evidence we obtained during the course of our investigation linked Rainford to the Mikey line, and showed he would use as many as five different mobile phone sim cards to try and stay under the radar.
“I am pleased this case has now concluded and Rainford is behind bars for these crimes.”
Police encourage anyone who has information about the supply of drugs in their area to report this on 101, or submit information via https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/. Alternatively, you can make a report 100% anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Spotting the signs
Some common signs of drug dealing and County Lines activity to look out for include:
- An increase in visitors/cars to a house or flat
- Regularly changing residents
- When you see the occupant, they may appear anxious or distracted
- Substance misuse or drugs paraphernalia in the vicinity of a property
- Changes in young people, for example having new unaffordable things, going missing or unexplained injuries.
Excellent news! 10 years would have been nicer but this will do…….
Well Done all involved
Really hope this piece of filth doesn’t come back to the island once his ‘way too lenient’ sentence is served.
So, how does this actually help the situation? So he’ll spend five or so years in jail gaining more and more criminal experience and contacts. Then he’ll just be back on the street again. How does that solve anything?
Complete waste of public funds and police time. The war on drugs was lost decades ago. The most dangerous drug on the IOW is alcohol – Check the statistics. The amount of hypocrites commenting on this who think that “drugs are bad mkay!” while fully supporting and encouraging alcohol abuse is mind boggling. Use some common sense. Alcohol causes countless fatalities and tragedies on the road, causes deep social problems, unwanted pregnancy, violent crime, vandalism, spreading of STDs, domestic violence, exacerbates mental health disorders and kills many, many more people through poisoning. Such incredible ignorance.
Where is your evidence that people encourage alcoholism. Such a misguided statement. Most sensible people would agree all drugs are dangerous and many people die as a result, as of course do alcoholics. Families of drug users and heavy drinkers will tell you it ruins everyone in the family. and destroys lives. This man Mikey is now off the streets for a few years at least. Well done to those responsible for his arrest and conviction.
What a typical comment from someone with no life experience – and even less common sense. Firstly I said alcohol abuse not alcoholism (two different things). Secondly, you ask “where is my evidence”? Landlords and shop owners can freely sell high proof spirits round the clock, with no repercussions for accidents, deaths or crimes that might then be caused, while this kid, basically just a petty black market trader, non-violent, gets jailtime. That’s the proof, genius. It’s not just alcoholics who die, it’s casual drinkers and even those that don’t drink who suffer. In my whole time as a cabbie I’ve not once had issues with an illegal drug user. On the other hand I’ve had stress, abuse, violence, threats of violence, puking, robbery and vandalism from drinkers, literally every working day. Every single one of them stunk of alcohol. How can you talk about “families of drug users” when you’ve never even met a “drug user”? Total ignorance….again!
You are right, although the lines between alcohol abuse and alcoholism might be a bit blurred u are right. I have also gone throught the same things with people that drink and i don’t like that people see alcohol being better than other drugs when it can be equally as damaging and addicting not just to people themselves but everyone around them
The amount of alcoholics on the island is bad enough, and people don’t encourage alcoholism but it is legal