Northampton drug dealer jailed for almost four years thanks to Operation Revive

A Northampton man who admitted supplying illegal drugs in the town has been jailed for almost four years following an Operation Revive West investigation.

Operation Revive is Northamptonshire Police’s hard-hitting enforcement campaign which focuses on bringing to justice those involved with Class A drug dealing and gangs.

In January 2024, officers began to look into the activities of Northampton man Joshua Wiltshire, following a 101 call from someone reporting concerns about drug dealing.

They soon uncovered the 24-year-old’s role in dealing Class A and B drugs in the Kings Heath area, and in April he was arrested and charged with four offences relating to the supply of cocaine, heroin and cannabis, as well as one relating to the possession of cash linked to criminal activity.

At Northampton Crown Court in June, Wiltshire, of Wheatfield Road South, admitted all five offences.

Last month (November) he returned to the same court for sentence, receiving a total custodial sentence of three years and nine months.

A 26-year-old Northampton woman arrested alongside Wiltshire was previously sentenced to a community order including 50 hours of unpaid work after being convicted of being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug.

Speaking afterwards, Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team’s Inspector Nicola Davis-Lyons said: “When Joshua Wiltshire was arrested, we had already established his role in a drugs line thought to be responsible for the sale of Class A drugs worth up to £116,000.

“When we stopped him on April 19, we had found over £6,000 of illegal drugs as well as scales and cash from selling them.

“This investigation was fuelled by vital intelligence provided to Operation Revive West officers by Kings Heath residents, who like us will not stand for criminals exploiting and harming their community.

“One simple phone call sparked an investigation which not only brought Joshua Wiltshire to justice but also ensured the safeguarding of several vulnerable people.

“I would like to thank Sergeant Scott Garbett and his team for the endless hard work they put into Operation Revive West, through their many investigations that stretch over months and sometimes years.

“Their determination to make Kings Heath a safer place shines through and I am so pleased their commitment has been rewarded with this substantial custodial sentence.”

Sgt Garbett added: “I’d like to thank the community in Kings Heath for providing intelligence to us. Their contribution was pivotal to this case, which I hope illustrates the importance we place on our relationships with the people we serve and protect.”