TWO drug dealers caught as part of an undercover police sting across Banbury have been sentenced.

Thames Valley Police has been using undercover officers to catch dealers peddling heroin and crack cocaine to addicts across the town this year.

Two men - Abdussalaam Salmin, of Towan Avenue, Milton Keynes, and Courtney Harris, of Hornton Drive, Banbury, both appeared at Oxford Crown Court today to be sentenced for their part in the drugs line.

Salmin, 24, acted as a ‘runner’ for the line which was known as the ‘Besty line’ and was caught dealing to officers numerous times while Harris, 43, was caught by police dealing drugs once to get a discount on buying his own drugs.

At the sentencing, prosecutors said that two undercover officers, who went by the names Fiona and Albert, had been deployed in the Banbury area.

They bought heroin and crack at various locations including outside Homebase, Morrison’s supermarket and near to an address at Dashwood Drive, Banbury, between January and March this year.

After a two-month gap supplying the drugs a message went out to users from the so-called ‘Besty Line’ saying ‘Besty’s back’ which prosecutors said was Salmin promoting the drugs line to others and taking on a higher role in the chain.

Taking to the witness box during the hearing, Salmin claimed that he had only dealt the drugs numerous times to pay off a debt to Milton Keynes criminals to the value of £500.

He told the court that those higher up the chain had threatened violence against him and his family if he did not carry out their orders.

Judge Zoe Smith rejected his assertion and said that he had played a ‘significant role’ in the dealing.

Harris’s role, the court heard, was uncovered after he sold drugs to undercover officers – which he said he did because he was promised a discount on drugs – while he was living at a flat at Dashwood Drive.

Both admitted drug dealing charges ahead of their sentencing.

Salmin was jailed for three years and must pay a victim surcharge while Harris was given a 12-month jail term suspended for two years and must carry out 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.