'County lines' gang jailed for total of 44 years

Two men from Ealing along with another man who were part of a 'county lines' drug operation have been jailed for a combined total of 44 years after a vicious assault on Christmas Day last year. The gang was distributing drugs in a prosperous part of Surrey.

The attack took place at a property in Wood Road in Camberley. Abdihakim Farah, aged 24, of Greenford, and Abidiaziz-Ali Qaajaa, aged 22, of Ealing along with 29-year-old Mohamed Mohamed of Hammersmith set upon their victim, kicking and punching him causing a fractured rib. They then boiled water in a kettle and poured the contents over the victim, resulting in serious burns.

The Met working with colleagues at Hampshire Police, officers and specialist teams targeted and arrested those involved, who were also concerned in the supply of controlled drugs as part of a recognised ‘county lines’ network. This refers to the operations of London based drug dealers expanding their distribution outside the capital.

All three were found guilty following a trial which concluded last Thursday (10 October), at Guildford Crown Court

Farah and Qaajaa were each sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison, including 12 years for grievous bodily harm (GBH) and four years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine. Mohamed was sentenced to 12 years in prison for grievous bodily harm (GBH).

Surrey Heath Borough Commander, Inspector Bob Darkens said, “The length of sentences handed down to these individuals reflect the severity of the crimes for which they were found guilty. They were part of a county lines gang operating in the affluent borough of Surrey Heath, and I hope this highlights the fact that this is not just a crime that affects other parts of the country, but is on our doorstep.”

“The violence shown by these men was, in my opinion, akin to torture. This is the reality of the drugs world and I hope is a reminder to those who think that their social use of drugs is acceptable; it isn’t, and their habit feeds this serious criminality.”

“I would also like to pay tribute to the investigating officer Detective Constable Arun Sharma for his excellent work in securing this conviction. The verdict was never a foregone conclusion and was the result of numerous hours of hard work.”

Detective Inspector Simon Driver added, “Alongside the tireless work undertaken by investigators in this case, I would like to recognise and commend those who came forward and provided us with the evidence needed to secure these convictions, and in particular the victim himself, who relayed the horrific events that unfolded on the night.

“One of the witnesses says she still has nightmares about the incident and said the ordeal she endured was like a movie. I hope that the fact that all three men are now behind bars will give all those involved some sort of closure and allow them to start to put the incident behind them.”

Chief Inspector John Halfacre from Hampshire Constabulary said: ““County lines networks are a scourge and we will relentlessly pursue those who play a part in Class A drugs supply and seek to bring harm to our communities.”

16 October 2019