Nine people who admitted being part of a County Lines Class A drugs conspiracy in Basingstoke, have been sentenced to a total of 46 years and seven months in prison.
The eight men and one woman were part of a cartel of four drug networks known as the Monster, Bestie, Nemo and Smallz lines that operated in the town between December 2018 and October 2019.
Prosecutor Mark Ruffell told Portsmouth Crown Court all the networks shared the same drugs suppliers in Wembley, North London, as well as key players, safe houses and local runners.
They worked together to prevent tensions breaking out between the networks but also to protect themselves against rival gangs operating on the same patch.
Two men, Ahmed Abdullah and Antonio Abayomi were, along with others, said to be the organisers behind these networks. The Crown said the pair worked together to ensure there was a 24/7 supply of heroin and crack cocaine constantly available in Basingstoke.
Ahmed Abdullah, 32, from Manor Road, Luton, was described as the ‘Operator’ of the Monster network from December 2018.
Abdullah, who told the HMRC he was a self employed plumber but never registered any tax returns, ran a network of lieutenants and runners for Monster.
He was sentenced to nine years and six months after admitting two counts of conspiring to supply Class A drugs.
Sentencing Abdullah, His Honour Judge Melville QC said: “You organised and managed your underlings with ruthless efficiency …and had cruelty in imposing your authority.”
Antonio Abayomi, 22, Neville Road, Brent, is said to have run the Bestie drug line in Basingstoke from at least November 2018 to December 2019. He recruited at least two 16 year old boys to run and deal drugs for him, the Crown alleged.
Abayoumi was sentenced to seven years and six months after admitting four counts of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.
Charlene Hougham, 32, of Abbey Road, Popley, was described as a Class A drugs user and it was said she played a ‘significant’ role.
From at least December 2018 to March 2029, she worked closely with Adbullah, travelling and staying overnight with him at various locations, including trips to Wembley to purchase drugs.
On March 7, 2019, she was found with 102 x £29 wraps of Class A drugs on her, totalling £2,040.
She admitted four counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to five years and five months in custody.
Andrew Russell, 27, of First Drive, Stonebridge, London, is said to have played a significant role. He was said to have been recruited by Abdullah – delivering and dealing drugs in Basingstoke from January 2019 to February 2019.
