A man who headed up two drug lines in North London and used vulnerable drug users to distribute products has been jailed. It comes after a ten-month intelligence-led operation, says police.
Gafar Bakare, 36, of Campbell Walk near King’s Cross, was jailed for eight years and seven months on Monday, April 22 at Wood Green Crown Court. He was in charge of two drug lines that operated across Camden and Islington.
The operations made almost £320,000 in 2022. Four other people who were involved previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
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Bakare was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court -Credit:Aaron Chown/PA Wire
The criminal network was first identified in January 2022. Detectives began monitoring the group’s movements and carried out in-depth analysis of CCTV and communications data.
Searches were executed at eight addresses, including Bakare’s home address, on December 13, 2022. During the searches, police seized drugs worth an estimated £14,000 as well as designer clothing and cash worth £4,000.
Specialist drug expert witnesses analysed a seized phone and provided key evidence to show the terms used in messages meant the user was saying he was available to sell drugs. DC Matt Eggins, who led the investigation, said: “The extensive work involved in this proactive operation shows how committed we are to tackling illegal drug supply.
“Bakare sold large amounts of class A drugs to make as much money as possible – he never thought about the effect on the communities he bought criminality into. He preyed on users of his own product to cover for his role at the head of the network, all for his own financial gain.
“We are doing all we can to tackle this type of crime and would encourage anyone who has information about those involved in drug supply to contact us.” On May 19, 2023, Bakare pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and possession of criminal property.
As well as him being jailed for eight years and seven months, the following people have been sentenced:
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David Turkson, 63, of no fixed address was convicted of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – sentenced to 40 months in prison
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Anthony Haigh, 30, of no fixed address was convicted of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months
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Lee Rosser, 36, of no fixed address was convicted of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months
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Tara Turbitt, 53, of Papworth Gardens, N7 was convicted of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for 24 months
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