Officers dismantle multi-million-pound drug network supplying cocaine across London

The eighth member of a London drug dealing network has been jailed following an investigation by Met detectives, as the force cracks down on issues affecting communities across London the most.

Aaron Wise, 33 (06.08.1990) from Hackney, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on 2 August 2024 at Isleworth Crown Court for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Wise is the most recent member of a drugs network to be sentenced after officers spent over a year gathering evidence and collating data to ensure those involved saw justice. The highly organised group was distributing cocaine across all of west and east London, fuelling drug addiction.

After the encrypted communications platform EncroChat was infiltrated by law enforcement agencies, and with the help of the National Crime Agency (NCA), detectives undertook a covert operation, investigating drug distributers across London.

Met officers analysed over four years of phone data to unravel the true extent of the network’s reach across London. The court heard how the gang supplied over 100kg of cocaine to Londoners between 2019-2020 – an estimated street value of £8 million.

Wise was the mastermind behind the organisation and in charge of splitting the network into drug couriers and cash couriers, making the group almost transient and harder for officers to track down.

Met detectives spent weeks keeping members of the gang under surveillance across London as they built a watertight case against the group, compiling evidence and piecing together their illicit movements.

When officers started arresting members of the network, Wise fled the country. The Met worked with Spanish authorities and tracked him down to Marbella.

James Lee (13.03.1966) formally of Darcy Court, West Malling, is the only outstanding member of the group and is wanted by police. 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.

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.

“James Lee is still wanted and anyone with any information should come forward so he can face justice.”

As part of the A New Met for London plan, the Met is focusing on community crime-fighting and bringing more offenders to justice.

Seven other men have also been jailed as part of this operation:

• Jack Lee 35, (16.08.1988) of Lulwroth Road, Welling plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 24 September 2021.

• Gareth Morris 58, (18.11.1965) of Eastview Avenue, Greenwich, plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 24 September 2021.

• Lee Willetts 31, (25.01.1993) of Pembroke Road, Greenford plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 24 September 2021.

• Matthew OBrien 34, (12/09/1989) of Northdown Close, Ruislip plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 15 years and nine months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 18 March 2022.

• Georgie Norris 23, (02/06/2001) of Burnham Way, Ealing plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 12 years and eight months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 18 March 2022

• Mark Breagan 41, (17.04.1983) of Evergreen Court, Ealing plead guilty to being concerned in the supply cocaine and was sentenced to 10 years and four months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 18 March 2022.

• Alfie Whitbread 23, (29.11.2000) of Cambridge Road, Ealing plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to eight years and 10 months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 18 March 2022.