Met officers from Hackney and Tower Hamlets have led a three-year investigation resulting in a total of 42 men being convicted for drug offences and disrupted the supply of millions of pounds worth of drugs to Hampshire and Brighton.
The final 18 men involved were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court between Monday, 22 January and Thursday, 25 January and received more than 150 years in prison for their part in supplying illegal drugs via 14 different supply lines.
Over the course of the investigation, the other 24 people convicted were jailed for more than 220 years for their part in the offences.
Following the seizure of two phones in 2020, officers accessed extensive quantities of data and messages. This led to the identification of a dedicated drugs network that further investigation linked to 14 dedicated drugs lines – where drugs are transported from one location to be sold elsewhere – which were closed.
They also uncovered a sophisticated criminal network of men who worked together in shifts, under the guise of cab drivers, to supply around 37 kilograms of drugs, including, cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and cannabis.
Specialist officers worked alongside local Hackney and Tower Hamlets officers to execute 49 search warrants, leading to 42 men being arrested and charged with drug supply offences.
Jewellery to the value of £54,000, £200,000 in cash, and drugs with the street value of £83,000 were also seized.
Detective Superintendent, Georgina Zumeris, said: “This investigation demonstrates Met officers going above and beyond to make London safe by removing drug dealers from the communities of east London. This is community crime-fighting at its best, removing offenders who impact the lives of those around them.
“The supply of drugs has devastating consequences on communities across London and beyond – it causes addiction, having devastating health impacts, as well as leading to anti-social behaviour and violence”
“Diverting people away from criminality has also been our focus throughout this investigation. Four of the men arrested were found to be suffering from drug addiction and officers recognised this, ensuring they were safeguarded and supported after Rehabilitation Orders were put in place of custodial sentences.
“Through successes like this, we can continue to show how we are keeping our communities safe.”
The investigating officer Detective Constable Megan Bushell was formally commended by the court for her role in identifying the group and assessing the roles they performed. This later led to their arrest. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the case ensured many of the defendants pleaded guilty at an early stage.
As part of the New Met for London strategy, the Metropolitan Police is focusing on community crime fighting, making sure people feel safe where they live and work.
Drugs ruin lives, that’s why we are committed to transforming how we keep communities safe. Read more about how we are responding to local priorities with a New Met for London: https://www.met.police.uk/notices/met/a-new-met-for-london/
Images of the 18 defendants are available here https://mps.box.com/s/bbz881xv…
