Dangerous drug dealer sentenced to 12 years

A drug dealer who was caught by officers after connecting to public Wi-Fi, has been sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment.

The Met had been investigating the ‘Bobby’ drugs line after examining the mobile phones seized by children suspected of being involved in drug supply. However, the dealer in charge of the line had taken extensive steps to conceal their location and had been running all devices through a virtual private network (VPN).

They were able to identify Joel Louis, 34 (16.06.92), of Ealing Road, Wembley as the line owner after he invertedly logged into a public Wi-Fi connection at an address he was hiding at.

As soon as officers had this intelligence, they executed a warrant at the address in Wembley on Tuesday, 7 July. Louis had tried to hide in a wardrobe but was immediately discovered by officers. During the arrest he asked officers: "how did you find me?”.

Later analysis of his phone found Louis was receiving more than 100 calls a day from his contact list of nearly 250 drug users. He had also bragged to some about how he owned a firearm.

Detective Constable Lauren Gresty, who led the investigation, said:

"Louis recruited numerous young people to move drugs around north Kilburn, exposing them to violence, intimidation and criminality for his own financial gain.

"County lines devastates lives. It is far more than drug dealing. It causes damage to local communities through its connections to acquisitive crimes and anti-social behavior.

“Louis believed he could hide from police to further his offending, but this result shows our tenacity in going after those who cause the most harm in London.”

Today at Harrow Crown Court, Louis was sentenced to 12 years’ and nine months’ imprisonment for offences connected to the supply of cocaine and heroin in north Kilburn.

A search of the address led to the recovery of Class A drugs, including cocaine and heroin with a street value of £8,800, approximately £8,000 in cash and six mobile phones. One of which was identified as the phone used to run the ‘Bobby’ line.

Officers also found a loaded firearm concealed inside a box, thirteen rounds of 9mm ammunition, including three rounds loaded into the firearm's magazine, a machete, and a flip knife.

Louis was charged on Tuesday, 7 July with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of offensive weapon in a private place, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition.

There are several warning signs that may indicate that a child is being criminally exploited. These can include frequently going missing from school or home and being found in other areas, having unexplained items such as a new mobile phone and money, unexplained injuries and a change in behaviour – angry, aggressive, withdrawn, secretive, or carrying weapons for their own personal protection.

There are various charities The Met work with such as The Children’s Society, Catch22 County Lines Support and Rescue and Missing People’s SafeCall, as well as, the Ivison Trust who can help young people trapped in Debt bondage.

If you are concerned about drug-related crime in your area or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, please call us on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

If you would like to provide information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org