A Bangor drug dealer who ran a cross-border county lines operation has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

William Osu was arrested in the city last month after he was caught possessing a known graft device involved in supplying crack cocaine and heroin.

The raid was carried out as part of Operation Toxic, a joint investigation between North Wales and Merseyside detectives into suspected drug dealing and criminal exploitation of children.

Osu (34), who was charged with being involved in the supply of class A drugs, was also given a ten-year criminal behaviour order.

Detective Sergeant Shaun McNee from Merseyside Police's county lines team, said: "Our joint investigation with North Wales Police in Bangor quickly identified Osu controlling this county line where he was supplying crack cocaine and heroin from Merseyside to the Bangor area of North Wales."

"The warrant disrupted Osu’s drugs supply and put him behind bars for his crimes."

"Organised crime is hugely damaging to our communities, often involving intimidation, violence and creating fear and it is these criminals who run county lines. They prey on vulnerable drug users, selling their illicit goods to them and exploiting young people to involve them in their illegal trade."

"I hope this result shows that we are relentless in their pursuit of these people who think they are above the law, and we will continue to target criminals like Osu by carrying out warrants, stop checks and land searches every day of the year to stop those involved in drug supply."

Superintendent Arwel Hughes from North Wales Police added: "Our close working partnership with colleagues from Merseyside Police allows us to share intelligence and quickly identify those who are intent on supplying crack cocaine and heroin to vulnerable community members."

"Criminals who run county lines cause a detrimental impact on communities across Merseyside and North Wales which is why we remain determined to tackle criminals who seek to exploit people and bring violence to our neighbourhoods for their own gain."

"I continue to appeal directly to anybody who has information about drug supply to report their concerns to police or anonymously through Crimestoppers."