Drug dealer has prison sentence almost doubled

Andrew Augustine is now facing nearly six years behind bars after the decision by the Court of Appeal.

An investigation by Bedfordshire Police identified Augustine, 35, as the man behind the ‘Captain’ drugs line in Biggleswade, which was responsible for sending out various text messages offering crack cocaine and heroin for sale in the town.

Officers executed a warrant in June, where Augustine attempted to flee from officers before being found in a neighbour’s back garden.

Body cam footage of his arrest released by Bedfordshire Police has been viewed more than 20,000 times across social media.

Augustine of Devon Drive, Biggleswade was originally jailed for three years for being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

Shortly after sentencing, the jail term given was appealed by the Crown Prosecution Service on behalf of Bedfordshire Police.

This month, the Court of Appeal ruled to increase Augustine’s sentence to five years and eight months after considering his criminality.

Detective Constable Adam Geary, from Bedfordshire Police’s Boson guns and gang team, said: “I’m very pleased with the outcome the Court of Appeal delivered.

“Drug dealers such as Augustine pose a great risk to our communities and should not be overlooked.

“Drugs cause misery and a path of destruction for everyone involved, from the exploitation of children and young people to sell drugs through county lines to vulnerable adults who are cuckooed.

“Violence and exploitation are huge themes that underline drug crime and those entrapped within this cycle are the real victims.”

For more information on all forms of exploitation linked to organised crime such as drug dealing visit the Bedfordshire Against Violence and Exploitation website