A Weston man is one of 27 drug dealers who have been collectively jailed for more than 70 years.

Callum Sheppard, of The Boulevard, has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison for his role in selling heroin and cocaine across Somerset.

The 22-year-old admitted eight counts of suppling class A drugs. He was arrested after police raids were carried out in Bridgwater, Glastonbury and Taunton in July.

Chief Inspector Lisa Simpson said: “We are committed to taking dealers off the streets but more importantly we are committed to protecting vulnerable people who are exploited due to debt, addiction, mental health problems or other issues that make them an easy target.

“Some of these dealers targeted some of the most vulnerable people in our communities – using their home as a base, or for transporting drugs.

“We won’t tolerate this and are working hard to prevent it but we need the public’s help to do this.

“We want to know about anyone suspected to be housing drug dealers or allowing the supply of drugs from their premises.

“We also want to hear from anyone who is worried about friends, neighbours or relatives they feel might be vulnerable to drug dealers due to dependency or debt.”

In addition to the 27 dealers who were given prison sentences, 19 other people received community orders or suspended jail terms.

Police believe these sentences show they are not a ‘soft touch’ when it comes to tackling criminals involved in drug-dealing and related crimes.

Ch Insp Simpson added: “We are committed to tackling drug-dealing and all the associated crime and antisocial behaviour that comes with it.

“People shouldn’t have to live in places where dealers freely sell drugs on the streets, in parks or in areas where children play.

“We always listen to the concerns of our communities but it can take us some time to develop the intelligence we receive and people shouldn’t assume that because they don’t see immediate results that it isn’t being acted upon.

“The complex investigation which has resulted in these sentences is proof of this and has shown that we in Avon and Somerset are in no way a soft touch on drugs.”