Five jailed for drugs supply

Five men have been jailed for running organised drug supply lines.

Nathaniel Ofori, 23 (11.08.99) of Tiverton Road, N15 was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin. He had previously pleaded guilty on 11 November 2021. He was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment on 6 December 2022.

Donell Shyngle, 24 (16.08.98) of Seven Sisters Road, N4 was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin. He had previously pleaded guilty on 11 November 2021. He was sentenced to five years and three months' imprisonment on 6 December 2022.

Moses Aibamwen, 28 (25.11.94) of Avenue Road, Erith was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin. He had previously pleaded guilty on 11 November 2021. He was sentenced to four years and ten months' imprisonment on 6 December 2022.

Emmanuel Yamoah, 28 (10.06.94) of Gloucester Road, N17 was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin. He had previously pleaded guilty on 11 November 2021. He was sentenced to four years and one month imprisonment on 6 December 2022.

Rojhat El-Sindi, 26 (19.09.96) of Foyle Road, N17 was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin. He had previously pleaded guilty on 11 November 2022. He was sentenced to three years and four months' imprisonment on 18 January 2023.

The investigation was launched by detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Organised Crime Group syndicate and relates to the five men who were all concerned in the organised distribution of heroin and crack cocaine via a county line running between London and Manchester since 1 January 2021.

A number of enquiries were carried out as part of the operation, including telephone analysis and analysing CCTV footage, which established that the group were operating as part of an Organised Crime Group, facilitating the supply of Class A drugs. Through analysis of mobile phone data, it was established that those involved were regularly travelling from London to Manchester and would canvas their customer base by sending bulk messages advertising drugs for sale.

As a result of extensive enquiries, in November 2021, officers from GMP's Tactical Vehicle Intervention Unit stopped a Honda Civic in Sanbrook Retail Park, Romford. Yamoah, the driver of the vehicle, was consequently arrested after being identified as one of the drug line holders.

A further three warrants were carried out at addresses in Angel Gardens, Manchester and Promenade Street, Heywood. Officers recovered a large quantity of Class A drugs including heroin and cocaine. A Rambo knife and an imitation firearm were also found at one of the properties.

Shyngle, Ofori, Aibamwen and El-Sindi were subsequently arrested on 9 November 2021 at the property in Angel Gardens.

Investigating Officer PC Nick Stylianou said: "Our coordinated response with colleagues from GMP has illustrated the great results we can achieve, when we work collaboratively with our partner forces.

"This proactive operation identified that the group were dealing Class A drugs over an 11-month period, living lavish lifestyles, funded by criminality. The extensive work involved in the case, we hope, demonstrates our commitment to tackling this crime, which is heavily linked to exploitation and serious violence leading to untold misery.

"We are pleased with the sentences passed by the courts, and hope it acts as a deterrent to those who partake in this type of reckless behaviour. Those involved will face the full force of the law."

Detective Inspector Roger Smethurst of GMPs Serious Organised Crime Group added: "No matter how coordinated you think your criminal enterprise is, police forces are actively collaborating and sharing intelligence. We will dismantle your organisation and bring you to justice.

"We know that when we seize these items or put people behind bars, that we can't stop there. These people are profiting from some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and we will continue to pursue every level of criminality involved in the distribution of drugs."