'Balby Boys' drug dealer jailed for almost half a decade

Jake Natale dealt drugs as part of the 'Balby Boys' line, with the 28-year-old caught carrying out drug deals and topping up the phone used to connect to customers.

The line operated on a 'ring and bring' basis, with customers told to contact the number before Natale met them and supplied drugs.

He was arrested on February 10 this year, as part of a wider operation to dismantle drug supply and county lines in Doncaster.

Stuart Gough, the officer in charge of this case, said: "Natale thought he was untouchable as a supplier on this drugs line but a long-running investigation into his activities has now resulted in a significant custodial sentence.

"The investigation into Natale forms part of a wider operation and is linked to a number of other recent sentencings, including Adam Bennia, Claire Holden and Liam Saunders, who were sentenced to a combined total of nine years behind bars for various drug offences.

"The message is simple - if you're dealing drugs in Doncaster, we will not tolerate this and we are onto you.

"A team of investigators and detectives have worked hard behind the scenes to bring those responsible for supplying these harmful drugs to justice and we will endeavour to continue disrupting more supply lines across the city."

Natale, of HMP Doncaster, pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying heroin and two counts of supplying crack cocaine.

He was sentenced to two years and eight months behind bars at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday (11 April) but his conviction activated a suspended sentence meaning he has been jailed for a total of four years and nine months.