A MAN who fled the country after being wanted by police for running a county lines drugs network in Basingstoke has been jailed for eight years.

Bradley Bardowell, 27, from Winchester Avenue, Hounslow, was involved in the running of the Class A drugs network, known as the G-Man line.

The conspiracy, which involved the supply of heroin and cocaine in the town, was said to have been in operation from April 2018 to May 2019.

Bardowell fled the country in May 2019 but was located in Norway in December 2022.

He was extradited back to the UK and sentenced to eight years at Salisbury Crown Court on Tuesday, September 5.

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Bardowell pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Basingstoke between April 2018 and May 2019.

He also admitted to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Hounslow between October 2018 and December 2019.

Twelve members of the drugs gang had already been sentenced for their involvement in the conspiracy.

It brings the total sentence for all parties involved in the drugs network to more than 60 years.

Eight of them were sentenced on August 28, 2020, to a total of 36 years in custody after admitting their roles in the 'slick, professional and extensive' Class A drugs network operating in Basingstoke.

One of them was also sentenced after being caught with a cocked and loaded sawn off shotgun in public after being stopped by police officers.

The eight defendants, who all played a part in the county lines gang — known as the G-Man line — were sentenced over three days at Winchester Crown Court on August 7, August 27 and August 28. They had all pleaded guilty to offences of conspiring to supply Class A drugs heroin and cocaine in the Basingstoke area.

The drugs network was busted after two members of the gang were stopped by police near Tewkesbury Close in Basingstoke on December 9, 2018. 

Both ran off after throwing down a rucksack but Oliveira was caught by officers after a chase. The rucksack was found to contain a loaded and cocked sawn off double barrelled 12 bore shotgun.

Oliveira’s mobile phone was later examined and showed footage of him loading the gun inside Zani’s address in Tewkesbury Close. 

The court heard the gang was assisted by licensed private hire driver Matt Temple.

The judge described Temple as the 'Transport Division'.

He himself was said to have a cocaine habit and would earn cash and drugs by chauffeuring the gang runners and dealers around at all hours of the day and night.

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Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, Basingstoke’s District Commander, said: “This sentencing highlights that our officers will do everything in their power to ensure Basingstoke is not targeted by violent drugs networks.

“The case was built over many years and it demonstrates the relentless pursuit of those who seek to make money from such an evil trade.

“We can’t tackle this problem alone, but with the help of our communities, we can take action against those intent on breaking the law. 

“If you have any concerns about drug-related activity in your area, you can report it online via www.hampshire.police.uk or by calling us on 101.”

Details of eight men who were previously sentenced in this case are as follows:

Jeffrey Zani, 23, of Tewkesbury Close, Popley, Basingstoke, admitted two offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He was sentenced to seven years and four months in a Young Offenders Institution for both counts, to run concurrently.

Louis Robinson-Ventour, 23, of Ashmead Road, Feltham, admitted two offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He was sentenced to six years and eight months in a Young Offenders' Institution on both counts to run concurrently.

Matthew Temple, 50, of Mendip Close, Buckskin, Basingstoke, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He was sentenced to four years and eight months imprisonment for both counts to run concurrently.

Temple further admitted two counts of driving while disqualified and was sentenced to four months imprisonment on both counts, to run concurrently with the original sentence. He was also banned from driving for seven years.

Jack Oliveira, 24, of Lambeth, admitted two offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Basingstoke. He was sentenced to three years in a Young Offenders' Institution on each count, to run concurrently.

He also admitted possession of the sawn-off shotgun in a public place and was sentenced to five years imprisonment in a Young Offenders' Institution.

Abdirahman Abdi, 24, of Briscoe Close, Hounslow,  admitted two offences of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Basingstoke and was sentenced to two years and eight months in a Young Offenders' Institution. He also pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Hounslow and was given a sentence of four years and four months, again to run concurrently.

Dexta Newman-Parsons, 21, of Quantock Close, Basingstoke, admitted two charges of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in Basingstoke. He was sentenced to 20 months - suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours Community Payback work. The court heard he was the youngest person arrested as part of the conspiracy. He was 15 years old when he first got involved in the network.

Mohammed Zazai, 23, of Sussex Avenue, Isleworth and Ayodeji Ade-Olisaemeka, 23, of Colson Road, Loughton: Zazai was arrested in September of 2019 and the investigating officers discovered that he was running another Class A crack cocaine and heroin drug line in Hounslow.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of being concerned in supplying Class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin between March 1, 2019 and September 2, 2019 in the Hounslow area. He was sentenced to five years in a Young Offenders Institution.

Zazai further admitted being concerned in the supply of Class B Cannabis between July 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019. He was sentenced to two years in a Young Offenders Institution, also to run concurrently.

Ayodeji Ade-Olisaemeka, 23, of Colson Road, Loughton, pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiring to supply Class A controlled drugs, namely heroin and cocaine between April 1. 2018 and May 31, 2019, in the Basingstoke area; between October 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019, in the Borehamwood area and between November 1, 2018 and November 30, 2018, in the Hertford area.

He was sentenced to three years on each count in a Young Offenders Institution. All counts to run concurrently.