THE leader of a drug gang tried to get his line selling heroin and crack cocaine back into operation while behind bars. 

Kadeem Hibbert was on remand for another offence when he tried to reignite his drug line operation - employing his friends and sister to sell Class A drugs in Winchester and Andover. 

Following a trial in October last year Kadeem Hibbert, 21, of Livia Close, Andover, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. 

On Friday, March 24, six members of the gang appeared at Winchester Crown Court to be sentenced. Kadeem Hibbert was jailed for five years and six months.

In sentencing, Judge Andrew Barnett said: “It was very much his operation. The main responsibility for involving the others in the dock was with him."

Looking at Kadeem, the judge said: “It was you who, having been remanded for a drugs offence, began communication with the other offenders, attempting desperately to get your drug line back in operation by distributing Class A drugs.

“You involved your friends and worst of all your sister in that endeavour."

The court heard that Kadeem Hibbert's friend, Javel Watt, was bringing the drugs into Andover before he was caught. The 21-year-old was jailed for five years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Another friend Dean McDonnell, 21 and of a separate address in Livia Close, who was also involved in the conspiracy, was jailed for three years. He was also jailed for dealing cannabis.

Kadeem’s acquaintance Scott Ellis, 21 and of New Street in Andover, was also found guilty of conspiracy and was sentenced to 27 months in prison. He was also jailed for dealing cannabis.

The judge said: “Dealing Class A drugs is an evil in our society. Crack cocaine and heroin ruin lives. It changes lives, and sometimes it ends life. That’s why society is rightly concerned and condemn those who get involved in the distribution of Class A drugs."

READ MORE: Four people deny drug dealing in Andover and Winchester

McDonnell’s girlfriend Kayleigh Clark, 31 and of a separate address on Livia Close in Andover, pleaded guilty to the charges.

The judge said her involvement was not as serious when compared to the other offenders. She was given a community order of one year – which included undertaking 10 days of rehabilitation activities.

Kadeem’s sister Camio Hibbert, 24, from Andover, was also found guilty of conspiracy charges and was handed a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years. She has to undertake 48 days of rehabilitation activities and 100 hours of unpaid work.