Donny Hart, a 52-year-old county lines drug dealer from Belgrave, Tamworth, has been jailed for two years and nine months after Staffordshire Police raided his home and uncovered a sophisticated drug-dealing operation.
Police Raid Uncovers Class A Drugs and Weapons
Officers forced entry into Hart's home on Marshall Street in Belgrave in February 2025. Inside, they discovered drug-dealing equipment including scales, clingfilm, and class A drugs spread across a table in the front room. Heroin, crack cocaine, a knife, and a Nokia mobile phone—later identified as the 'Ghost' county drug line—were seized.
Hart was arrested and subsequently charged with five offenses: being concerned in the supply of heroin, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, possession of a controlled drug of class A (heroin), possession of a controlled drug of class A (crack cocaine), and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
Court Sentencing
Appearing at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday, July 1, 2025, Hart pleaded guilty to all charges. He was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.
Staffordshire Police emphasized their commitment to tackling drug supply operations. A spokesperson said: “We are committed to tackling and dismantling drug supply operations across Staffordshire. We launched Operation Target in 2023 and have been working hard to identify, disrupt and pursue criminals who plan, organise and commit serious criminal offences across the county. These include drug supply, illegal firearms, knife crime, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.”
Operation Target and Community Reassurance
The force urged the public to report any concerns about drug-related activity. “If you have any concerns around drug-related activity in your community, contact us by calling 101, or via Live Chat on our website. Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111,” the spokesperson added.
Hart's conviction is part of a broader crackdown on county lines drug dealing, which often involves vulnerable individuals being exploited to transport drugs from cities to smaller towns. The 'Ghost' line had been operating in the Tamworth area, and its dismantling is a significant blow to local drug supply networks.
