A man who exploited teenagers to help him run a major drugs line through Bedfordshire has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Malik Sommerville, 20, was responsible for running the Marco line and for the supply of drugs by the line.

He was arrested following a police raid on a property in Luton in June.

During a subsequent search of the property, officers discovered three zombie knives, drugs, cash and a number of phones – one of which was found to be connected to the Marco line, and a handwritten list of customers.

Sommerville admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

The court heard he had recruited two 16-year-old boys to act as runners, supporting the supply of drugs.

In sentencing Sommerville, of Stocking Drive in Meppershall, the judge said that he was “careless and reckless” as to his use of children, and said that was an aggravating factor.

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Detective Inspector Scott Fowler, of the Bedfordshire Police Boson guns and gangs unit, said: “This was excellent investigative work by our Boson team to identify Sommerville as a significant supplier of drugs within Luton and then produce an undefendable evidential case which led to an early guilty plea.

“County lines gangs often use and exploit young people to help run these drugs lines, as has been seen in this case.

“We’re urging the public to help us tackle county lines and protect other vulnerable young people by being alert to the signs and reporting any suspicious activity in their area.”