Crowland, Peterborough, UK - February 13, 2024

A county lines drug dealer, identified as 23-year-old Dominic Bevilacqua, has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison following his arrest in Crowland, Cambridgeshire. The arrest was made during a dawn raid on February 13 as part of Operation Hypernova, a comprehensive crackdown on county lines drug dealing and human trafficking.

During the raid, officers discovered incriminating evidence linking Bevilacqua to the 'Dom' drugs line, including three mobile phones. Additionally, authorities seized 16 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of up to £13,000, which were found growing in an upstairs bedroom of the property.

At Peterborough Crown Court on Friday, May 24, Bevilacqua pleaded guilty to a range of charges, including being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, production of cannabis, assault by beating, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and attempting to pervert the course of public justice.

Detective Constable Jeremy Turner, who led the investigation, highlighted Bevilacqua's modus operandi, stating, "Bevilacqua would travel between Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire and send hundreds of messages to vulnerable drug users advertising cocaine and cannabis for sale and then pocket the cash."

Operation Hypernova, conducted in February, resulted in the dismantling of 51 county lines and the charging of 33 individuals with 93 drug and human trafficking offenses. This concerted effort reflects law enforcement's commitment to combatting the scourge of county lines drug dealing and protecting vulnerable communities from exploitation.