The leader of a gang who set up a drugs delivery phone line in Skegness is facing a lengthy jail sentence.

Shaun Lau, 30, ran his business from his prison cell in HMP Hewell Grange, Worcestershire.

Prosecutor Luke Blackburn told Nottingham Crown Court that Lau was in the business of dealing drugs to "anyone he could", according to Nottinhamshire Live.

He said: "He extended his business to something which is often called county lines."

He started in Newark but also ran something similar in Skegness for some period of time.

Mr Blackburn said: "As far as Newark is concerned, he had a constant presence in that town.


Judge Steven Coupland will sentence Lau today, September 21, at Nottingham Crown Court for the conspiracy to supply cocaine.

A man who set up drugs lines in Lincolnshire is to appear in court today

The court heard the drugs line would take orders and young people were used to run the business.










Detective sergeant Paul Sands from Lincolnshire Police previously worked on a different case where three men were convicted.

He told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "You phone up, you come and collect your order or it gets delivered. It's almost like a marketing ploy."

There are certain things to look out for which could mean someone is involved in a gang.

Lauren Mumby is from Lincolnshire Action Trust and she said there are signs to look out for that people may be involved with a drugs line.

She told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "Some of the recognisable signs are periods away from home, going missing for periods of time, being found in areas or cities away from home, being obsessed with drugs, being secretive about new relationships and new acquaintances and not being able to explain those acquaintances. Unexplained clothing and money are other signs that may be associated with it."