Five men have been sentenced for drug supply and modern slavery offences, including exploiting a 15-year-old child who was made to carry drugs from West London to Hampshire.
In September 2021, a 15-year-old boy went missing from West London, and was found at an address in Andover, Hampshire, by Metropolitan police officers.
Following a search the missing child was found in possession of wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, ready for sale and it was established the address was linked to 27-year-old Jordan Barnes, from Andover.
The child was being exploited to act as a “runner” on a county line operating from West London to Andover, headed up by a senior gang member, 30-year-old Rhys Johnson, from Acton.
Officers carefully investigated and identified that the boy travelled in a car driven by 31-year-old Michael Mcdonnell, accompanied by Johnson, 18-year-old Jaion Jacobs and 17-year-old Miguel Fiorenzi.
Police searched a safe house in High Wycombe, controlled by Johnson and Mcdonnell, and discovered large amount of Class A drugs, valued at around £40,000, a high-value Rolex watch, cash and correspondence relating to Johnson and Mcdonnell.
All five men were arrested, and charged with various offences including drug supply and modern slavery, and subsequently found guilty of these offences following a trial. During the trial it was heard that the boy was groomed by Jacobs and Fiorenzi before they introduced him to Johnson for the purpose of being a drugs runner.
Johnson and Mcdonnell were both sentenced to over 16 years in prison on Friday 20 October.
Police Constable Tom Quinn, leading the investigation said: “We know all too well that drugs are linked to violence in our London communities and ruthless criminals exploit children or vulnerable people to help carry out their crimes.
“This investigation is an excellent example of how our Met officers have successfully dismantled an organised gang who coordinated the distribution of drugs through the exploitation of children. Through the hard work and diligence of our team, we managed to secure a lengthy sentence for drug supply and modern slavery offences, as well as safeguarding the victim and ensuring they receive the support needed.”
The sentences came after the Met announced the results of a week of action to tackle county lines drug dealing which resulted in more than 290 arrests, 110 people safeguarded, the seizure of 16.9kg worth of suspected drugs and the closure of 92 drug lines.
Our New Met for London plan outlines our commitment in working closely with our local communities in London and policing partners across the UK, to help identify young people that might become victims of organised crime and supply drugs.
For more information on county lines and how to prevent yourself or a loved one from becoming a victim, visit: www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines
Please see below for full charge details:
Rhys Johnson (13/01/1991) 9 Evenlode, SL6, 28 Stretton Close, HP10 was sentenced to 16 years.
Count 1 – Arrange or Facilitate the Travel of a minor with a view to his exploitation – guilty verdict
Count 2 – Conspiracy to Supply Crack Cocaine – pleaded guilty
Count 3 – Conspiracy to Supply Heroin – pleaded guilty
Michael McDonnell (04/11/1989) of 11A Ruslip Road, UB6 was sentenced to 16 years, 3 months.
Count 1 – Arrange or Facilitate the Travel of a minor with a view to his exploitation – guilty verdict
Count 2 – Conspiracy to Supply Crack Cocaine – pleaded guilty
Count 3 – Conspiracy to Supply Heroin – pleaded guilty
Jaion Jacobs (26/11/2002) of 75 The Square, W6 was sentenced to 2 years, 6 months.
Count 1 – Arrange or Facilitate the Travel of a minor with a view to his exploitation – guilty verdict
Count 2 – Conspiracy to Supply Crack Cocaine – guilty verdict
Count 3 – Conspiracy to Supply Heroin – guilty verdict
Jordan Barnes 07/03/1992 of 11 Hexagon, SP10 was sentenced to 2 years, 6 months.
Count 2 – Conspiracy to Supply Crack Cocaine – guilty verdict
Count 3 – Conspiracy to Supply Heroin – guilty verdict
Miguel Fiorenzi 26/01/2004 of 237 Cleverly Estate, W12 was sentenced to 2 years, suspended.
Count 1 – Arrange or Facilitate the Travel of a minor with a view to his exploitation – guilty verdict
Count 2 – Conspiracy to Supply Crack Cocaine – guilty verdict
Count 3 – Conspiracy to Supply Heroin – guilty verdict
