A drug dealer who distributed heroin and crack cocaine across North East Derbyshire has been handed a suspended sentenced.

Officers launched Operation Singer following the discovery of a well-established county line in which heroin and crack cocaine was being dealt between Sheffield, Chesterfield and the wider North East Derbyshire area.

Derbyshire Police’s Criminal Exploitation Team, working with the local Safer Neighbourhood officers, found that the illegal Class A drugs were being dealt via the ‘CC Line.’ This was being controlled by a man called Corinthian Brown - who goes by the alias ‘CC’.

We also established that Brown had taken over the home of a vulnerable woman to be used as a base for his drug dealing - a criminal practice known as cuckooing.

He was driven out of the property in 2024 thanks to intervention from neighbourhood officers as part of Op Trapped – the force’s dedicated operation aimed at safeguarding victims from cuckooing.

However, he continued his criminality and numerous mobile phones were identified as being used for dealing Class A drugs that were linked to Brown.

Analysis of mobile phone data revealed that he regularly sent out mass marketing messages advertising the sale of heroin and crack cocaine to potential users. He was arrested for the offences but gave a no comment interview to officers.

Brown was charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine between February 1 and July 22, and cannabis possession on July 21.

The 37-year-old, of Rothay Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to the drug offending charges. He was handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence, suspended for two-and-a-half years, during a hearing at Derby Crown Court on Friday, October 9.

Detective Sergeant Ross O’Brien, of the Criminal Exploitation Team, said: “Cuckooing is an appalling crime that takes away the liberty of the person whilst they are living in their own home – a place where they should feel the safest.

“But I hope this case reassures other victims out there that we will act on information relating to this kind of offending and will drive criminals out of your home.

“If you are in fear of repercussions, information can be passed to us anonymously and discreetly, and officers will be here to safeguard and support you through every step of the investigation.

“Brown continued his criminality even after he had been driven out of his victims’ home by our officers and was determined to deal Class A drugs, bringing misery to communities in the north east of the county.”