"They blight communities and ruin lives."
A drug dealer who likened himself to infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and bragged about controlling the streets of Tower Hamlets has been jailed.
Shahen Ahmed was sentenced to nine and a half years in jail after being found guilty of involvement in the distribution of Class A drugs, which include substances like cocaine and heroin.
His conviction came as a result of Operation Yamata, a long-term investigation by the Met Police aimed at dismantling drug supply networks throughout London and holding those responsible for their operation accountable.
Ahmed had come under police scrutiny between December 2021 and June 2022, when officers identified three distinct drug distribution networks operating under the collective name “Killah”.
The investigation revealed that these lines were responsible for flooding various parts of London, including Tower Hamlets, with illicit drugs.
During their inquiries, police gathered evidence connecting Ahmed to these drug lines.
On June 28, 2022, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at two properties linked to Ahmed, one of which was his home on Stevedore Street.
During the raids, officers uncovered a substantial stash of Class A drugs, along with over £60,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from the drug trade.
Ahmed was immediately arrested at the scene and taken into police custody.
Following his arrest, he was formally charged with multiple drug-related offences and was remanded in custody to await trial.
After months of legal proceedings, he was convicted and handed a lengthy prison sentence for his role in the drug supply operation.
The success of Operation Yamata highlights the ongoing efforts by the Metropolitan Police to disrupt drug trafficking activities in London and bring those who profit from the illegal trade to justice.
Detective Inspector Sam Bennett, from Operation Yamata, said:
“My team seized a number of devices from Ahmed.
“On examination my officers found a video of Ahmed proudly bragging to an unknown passenger about his criminal activity, referring to himself as ‘Pablo’ and running the streets.
“Drugs are inextricably linked to violence and misery on our streets.”
“They blight communities and ruin lives.
“To see Ahmed talk so casually and proudly about his involvement is a concern but it also motivates us and makes us even more determined to bring people like him to justice.
“Thanks to my officers and their hard work and diligence, Ahmed now has even more in common with his famed idol – a significant jail sentence.”
Officers also found that Ahmed found over £600,000 of illicit cash through his business accounts.
Detectives from the Met’s Economic Crime Unit are now working to retrieve this under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
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