16 have been convicted and sentenced
A gang of class A drug dealers and associates who sold crack and heroin from a Merton estate have been jailed for a total of more than 33 years after a joint operation by the Met’s London Crime Squad and borough officers.
A total of 16 defendants have been convicted and sentenced, with the sentencing of a final defendant adjourned until June 27.
The sentencing of the last wave of defendants marks the culmination of an 18 month operation involving the intense targeting of drugs activity in and around the Phipps Bridge Estate in Mitcham.
The dealers operated in groups and alone, dealing crack and heroin in and around the estate, including from a children’s playground. Deals would make them up to £1,000 a day.
Acting on intelligence, in February 2012, detectives from the London Crime Squad, working jointly with Merton borough officers, began their operation, targeting drugs activity on the estate.
This culminated in the arrest of suspects in May 2012, with raids carried out at various addresses, with support from the Territorial Support Group.
During a search of the home of a suspect’s girlfriend, officers discovered guns concealed in socks, rounds of ammunition, along with ecstasy and cash, all contained within a plastic bag in her bedroom. The woman, who had been harboring the goods, was subsequently arrested, along with her boyfriend
Officers searching a separate address discovered £1,500, later identified as bank notes taken from a cash-in-transit robbery, concealed within a wardrobe, whilst at another address, heroin was found concealed within a cupboard.
Officers also uncovered a knife and 50 wraps of drugs hidden within the shelving of a local shop. The suspect had tried to conceal his weapon and drugs when he saw police in the street and tried to evade arrest. He was subsequently arrested.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Hill, of the Met’s London Crime Squad, said: “This has been an intensive and protracted investigation and I would like to thank everyone involved, in particular DC Paul Allen, for his tenacity and diligence in bringing these offenders to justice.
“The sentences imposed by the court reflect the seriousness of the criminality involved and should act as deterrent to others. The London Crime Squad is committed to tackling crimes of this nature and improving the quality of life amongst our communities.”
Merton Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Darren Williams, said: “Back In February 2012, we set out to deal with a group of criminals who thought it as ok to deal drugs on an estate in Merton.
“With help from our colleagues from the London Crime Squad we took on the dealers in an area where they thought they were above the law. No criminal will ever be above the law in Merton and I want to thank all the officers who worked on this case and the members of the public who came forward with information to help us.
“Over the course of the last year we have successfully identified, prosecuted and sentenced 17 individuals making Merton a safer place for everyone.”
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