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The eighth member of a London drug dealing network has been jailed following an extensive investigation by Met detectives, as the force intensifies its crackdown on issues affecting communities across the capital.
Aaron Wise, 33, of Wyndham Road, Ealing, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on 2 August 2024 at Isleworth Crown Court for conspiracy to supply cocaine. Wise is the most recent member of the sophisticated drug network to be sentenced after officers spent over a year gathering evidence and collating data to ensure justice was served. The highly organized group was distributing cocaine across both west and east London, fueling widespread drug addiction.
The operation gained momentum after the encrypted communications platform EncroChat was infiltrated by law enforcement agencies, with significant support from the National Crime Agency (NCA). Met officers analyzed over four years of phone data, unravelling the full extent of the network’s operations. The court heard how the gang supplied over 100kg of cocaine to Londoners between 2019-2020, with an estimated street value of £8 million.
Wise was identified as the mastermind behind the organization, responsible for orchestrating the network into separate drug couriers and cash couriers, making the group nearly transient and more challenging for officers to track.
Met detectives conducted weeks of surveillance on gang members across London, building a watertight case against them. When arrests began, Wise fled the country, but the Met, working with Spanish authorities, tracked him down to Marbella.
James Lee, 58, of Darcy Court, West Malling, remains the only outstanding member of the group and is wanted by police. Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
Detective Constable Gary Jopling, leading the investigation, commented: “We know the impact drugs have on our communities. They lead to addiction, anti-social behaviour, and violence, destroying people’s lives and ripping families apart. That’s why we’re pursuing those who seek to profit from the illegal drug trade and fuel these destructive addictions.
“We are determined to keep dangerous people off the streets of London to tackle drug criminality and make the capital a safer place to live, work, and raise a family. James Lee is still wanted, and anyone with any information should come forward so he can face justice.”
As part of the “A New Met for London” plan, the Met is focusing on community crime-fighting and bringing more offenders to justice.
Other Members Sentenced:
- Jack Lee, 35, of Lulworth Road, Welling: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on 24 September 2021.
- Gareth Morris, 58, of Eastview Avenue, Greenwich: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on 24 September 2021.
- Lee Willetts, 31, of Pembroke Road, Greenford: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on 24 September 2021.
- Matthew O’Brien, 34, of Northdown Close, Ruislip: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 15 years and nine months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on 18 March 2022.
- Georgie Norris, 23, of Burnham Way, Ealing: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 12 years and eight months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on 18 March 2022.
- Mark Breagan, 41, of Evergreen Court, Ealing: Pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was sentenced to 10 years and four months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on 18 March 2022.
- Alfie Whitbread, 23, of Cambridge Road, Ealing: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to eight years and 10 months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on 18 March 2022.
