Swindon drug dealer jailed after caught with firearm

A man has been jailed for more than six years after he was caught with a firearm while running a local Class A drug ring in Swindon.

Marlon Barnes, 20, of Ramsbury Avenue, Penhill, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate and possession of criminal property.

Appearing at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, Barnes was jailed for six years and six months.

Wiltshire Police said Barnes is the controller of local drug ring ‘Caesar’, which distributed class A drugs across Swindon between December 2023 and March 2024.

During that time, the drug ring is believed to have made around £75,000, Wiltshire Police said.

The force said officers from the serious youth gang violence unit executed a warrant at Barnes’ home address on March 7 following an investigation that lasted several months.

Officers found key mobile phones linking the ‘Caesar’ drug ring to Barnes, as well as around 250 packets of Class A drugs, £2,500 in cash, a revolver firearm which had been modified to fire live ammunition and homemade ammunition.

Barnes was charged with various crimes, to which he later pleaded guilty.

PC White, from the Serious Youth Gang Violence unit, said: “Drug dealing has a huge impact on our communities in Swindon.

“Often those involved will target those who are most vulnerable in our communities and exploit them to gain control of the local area to supply drugs.

“Barnes’ actions are barbaric and destroy families and communities.”