Hartlepool drug dealer given lengthy jail sentence after selling heroin to undercover policeman

Raymond Peacock, 53, was snared during an operation mounted by Cleveland Police in response to a high number of drug-related deaths in Hartlepool last year.

An undercover officer was supplied with £10 wraps of heroin by Peacock from an address in Dent Street on four separate occasions in October and November.

The dealer and lifelong addict was jailed for five years and seven months at Teesside Crown Court.

Jonathan Harley, prosecuting, said: “Operation Neapolitan was an investigation commenced by Cleveland Police in September 2019 targeting drug supply in the Hartlepool area set up in response to a high volume of drug-related deaths in the area at the time.”On October 31, the undercover officer (UCO) attended the address in Dent Street where a man outside implied he could buy drugs.

Mr Harley added: “At UCO’s request he obtained a wrap of heroin which was passed to him through the letterbox by Raymond Peacock.”

The officer was sold £10 wraps of the Class A drug again on November 5, 6, and 10.

Peacock, of Derwent Street, faced a minimum seven-year prison sentence due to previous drug supply convictions on his record from 1996, 2006 and 2010.

He received a 20% discount for pleaded guilty to the four counts of supplying heroin.

The court heard he had tried almost every drug available in the past and was now living with the consequences to his health.

Peacock’s barrister Paul Cleasby said: “He was easy pickings for any police target. Those who operate above him remain at large.”

Mr Cleasby added: “He is looking to the future with a degree of optimism.”

Judge Jonathan Carroll said he accepted Peacock was dealing to fund his own habit and to get by.

"Regrettably, that’s what a lifetime of drugs does to you. It sucks you into a brutal, tough, uncaring world.

"There are people out there who are much higher than you in the chain of drugs supply no doubt making much greater profit than you ever did and you are carrying all the risk for them.”

Police continued to target the town’s drugs supply this year with Operation Sentinel.

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