Drugs gang jailed for 70 years

After a 16-month operation, named Op Spean, a drugs gang from London and their Exeter-based drugs runners have been sentenced to over 70 years in prison at Exeter Crown Court.

All 15 defendants pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs or the concern in the supply of Class A drugs.

Sentencing for the London gang took place today (Friday 12 June).

Yahya Hashi, 25, of Spicer Road, London and Fathi Ahmed, 29, of Pilgrim Hill, London, were the leaders of the drugs gang who brought cocaine and heroin to the streets of Exeter. Each were sentenced to eight years in prison.

They were both convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, along with five other defendants.

Fahad Hassan, 23, of Undine Street, London, was sentenced to seven years six months in prison, Said Mohamud, 28, of Bromar Road, London, was sentenced to six years, Shafie Afrah, 28, of Kings Road, London, was sentenced to six years, Hassan Abubaker, 23, of West Way, Edware, Middlesex, was sentenced to 6 years, and Sakariye Yasin, 25, of New Park Road, London was sentenced to six years.

Fahad Hassan pleaded guilty but not at the earliest opportunity and he was therefore given a longer sentence.

The local drug runners were sentenced on Thursday 7 May.

Lee Haine, 26, of Birchy Barton Hill, Exeter and Robert Doyle, 34, of College Road, Exeter were both convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin.

Both men were sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Doyle was also sentenced to an additional 12 months for unrelated theft offences.

The other defendants were convicted of being concerned in the supply of heroin.

Philip Warton, 35, of Park Street, Crediton, was sentenced to three years in prison.

Nicola Martin, 33, of St David’s Hill, Exeter was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

Christopher Edworthy, 39, of Heavitree Road, Exeter, John Acres, 44, of Exe Street, Exeter, and Richard Lewis, 52, of Slade Close, Plymouth, were all sentenced to two years in prison.

John Gill, 40, of Howarth Close, Sidmouth was sentenced to five years and seven months. This was the third time Gill has been convicted of similar offences and therefore received a more severe sentence.

Further to the sentencing, Serious Crime Prevention Orders have been applied for in the case of the leaders of this organised crime group which will hinder their involvement in illegal activities even after their release from prison. These orders will place restrictions on their use of mobile phones, vehicles, who they can associate with, their bank accounts and how much cash they can be in possession of.  A failure to comply with these orders can lead to a further five year prison term.

In January 2014 another operation running in Exeter identified AJ, an organised crime group, as a significant risk of harm to the local communities.

Operation Spean was then set up to catch the offenders involved and bring them to justice.

A group of seven men based in south west London travelled down to Devon up to five times a week to bring drugs into the city and facilitate drugs deals using local drug runners, before returning to London with cash.

They stayed at a number of addresses by intimidating vulnerable adults or drug users.

Officers in Exeter carried out a number of stop checks on hire vehicles used by AJ and the location where the group were operating from, in Longbrook Street, was placed under surveillance.

Drug dealers operated across Exeter city centre including Exe Street, College Road and Heavitree Road.

On 19 May 2014, warrants were executed at 10 addresses in Exeter and 10 properties in south west London. The properties were searched and a 6 series BMW convertible, which had been purchased by the gang, was seized after being found outside one of the addresses.

Officers found CCTV evidence of Hashi and Afrah, two of the main offenders, paying a large amount of cash into a bank in south west London. A few hours later they were caught on CCTV, along with Ahmed and another man, buying an Audi A5 convertible from a car dealership near London. The Audi was tracked down and seized two months later.

Detective Inspector Mark Waldron, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “The sentences we have seen handed to this Organised Crime Group today reflect the seriousness of their crimes. This group has been responsible for a large proportion of class A drug supply in Exeter and further afield for some time.

“This sends an important message to established crime groups in inner city areas. Devon and Cornwall Police alongside our partners will work tirelessly together in protecting our young people and the most vulnerable from becoming victims of drugs misuse.

“We will make our communities a hostile environment for those intent on bringing drugs here. This is one of our highest priorities and those engaged in these activities should expect to have all tactics used to bring them before a court and then strip them of their assets.

“My officers have collated an overwhelming amount evidence through a thorough and tenacious investigation which gave these offenders no choice but to admit their guilt. Even if these gangs take steps to avoid prosecution, the police will pursue them and will bring them to justice.

“We will specifically target those gangs who bring violence, exploit vulnerable people and affect the quality of life for the people of Devon and Cornwall.

"I would like to thank our partners in the Crown Prosecution Service, and the Metropolitan Police for their help with the warrants and assistance in apprehending these South London-based offenders.”

CPS reviewing lawyer, Rupert Vining, said: “The CPS worked with officers from Devon and Cornwall from an early stage in this lengthy and complex investigation. We reviewed all the evidence they presented and, in line with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, decided it was sufficient to charge these defendants with offences relating to the supply of heroin and cocaine.

“When presented with the insurmountable evidence against them the defendants felt they had no alternative but to plead guilty as charged and today they have been handed sentences which reflect the seriousness of their crimes.

“Drug-related crime is corrosive, not only to those who deal and use drugs but to their families and the communities in which we live. The CPS will continue to work with police and other agencies to bring offenders to justice and make the South West a safer place to live.”