The Met Police has disbanded a multi-million-pound ring which flooded East and West London with cocaine. It comes as the eighth member of the syndicate was handed a stiff sentence at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, August 2, for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Kingpin Aaron Wise, 33, of Wyndham Road, Ealing was hit with a 16-year sentence. The net began closing in on the crew after authorities cracked the encrypted network and service provider EncroChat.
The four-year investigation found the gang put 100kg of cocaine on the streets between 2019 and 2020, an estimated street value of £8 million. But when officers started taking out members of the network, Wise went on the run. The Met worked with Spanish authorities and tracked him down to Marbella.
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‘Drugs destroy lives’
Detective Constable Gary Jopling, leading the investigation, said: “We know the impact drugs have on our communities.
“They lead to addiction, anti-social behaviour and violence, destroying people’s lives and ripping families apart. That’s why we’re pursuing those who seek to profit from the illegal drugs trade and fuel these destructive addictions.
“We are determined to keep dangerous people off the streets of London to tackle drug criminality and make the capital a safer place to live, work and raise a family.”
Man still wanted
DC Jopling continued: “James Lee is still wanted and anyone with any information should come forward so he can face justice.”
Lee, formerly of Darcy Court, West Malling, Kent, is the only outstanding member of the group and is a wanted man.
If you have any information you are asked to call 101 or you can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
7 other men already jailed
Jack Lee, 35, of Lulworth Road, Welling, Bexley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 16 years inside at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, September 24, 2021.
Gareth Morris, 58, of Eastview Avenue, Plumstead, Greenwich, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was given seven years at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, September 24 2021.
Lee Willetts, 31, of Pembroke Road, Greenford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, September 24 2021.
Matthew O’Brien, 34, (12/09/1989) of Northdown Close, Ruislip pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 15 years and nine months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 18 March 18 2022.
Georgie Norris 23, of Burnham Way, Ealing, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 12 years and eight months inside at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, March 18 2022
Mark Breagan, 41, of Evergreen Court, Ealing pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was sentenced to 10 years and four months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 18 March 2022.
Alfie Whitbread, 23, of Cambridge Road, Ealing pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was handed eight years and 10 months in prison at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, March 18 2022.
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