By James Simons-
A pair of drug dealers have been jailed for their involvement in a county lines operation.
Adnan Mayanja and Asher Robinson,(pictured left and right) both hailing from Newham, have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a county lines drug operation.
County lines is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. A county line is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs.
They exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs.
This is often referred to as ‘drug running’. Criminals may also use a vulnerable person’s home as their base of operations, known as ‘cuckooing
The duo was found guilty of transporting and supplying drugs, specifically crack cocaine and heroin, as revealed by a joint investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police.
The operation, known as the ‘Bingo’ line, was identified as the source of narcotics being distributed to vulnerable individuals across London and East Sussex. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies uncovered the extent of their illicit activities.
In June 2023, authorities executed a raid at the residence of 26-year-old Robinson located in Sherrard Road, Forest Gate. Attempting to evade arrest, Robinson made a futile escape bid and disposed of incriminating evidence, including mobile phones and a driving license.
Despite his efforts, one phone containing crucial evidence linking him to the ‘Bingo’ line was recovered. Additionally, £1,600 in cash was seized from the premises.
Mayanja, also 26, residing on Walton Road, Little Ilford, was apprehended on the same day. Subsequently, both individuals faced charges related to their involvement in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Additionally, Mayanja faced an additional charge of possession of criminal property.
Following their arrest, Mayanja and Robinson pleaded guilty to the charges in July of the preceding year. Their sentencing took place at Lewes Crown Court in the previous month, where Mayanja received a sentence of five years and seven months, while Robinson was sentenced to three years behind bars.
Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery) is a government initiative to tackle drug related issues in Hastings through partnership working with police, council, and health partners. The team target local gang leaders driving the drug trades while better helping people to recover from addictions.
Investigator Julian Stokes said: “People like Mayanja and Robinson target and exploit vulnerable people in our communities. They are responsible for bringing harmful and dangerous drugs into our towns and this sentencing demonstrates that this will not be tolerated in Sussex.
“We continue to work hard to dismantle county lines and work closely with our partner
Julian Stokes, one of the investigators involved in the case, expressed the severity of the duo’s actions, emphasizing their exploitation of vulnerable members of society.
Stokes asserted that individuals like Mayanja and Robinson play a significant role in introducing harmful substances into communities and underscored that such behavior would not be tolerated in Sussex.
The successful prosecution and subsequent sentencing of Mayanja and Robinson reflect the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat drug-related criminal activities and safeguard communities from the detrimental effects of substance abuse.