Crack and Heroin County Lines Gang Busted After Two Teens Found Trafficked
Two 15-year-old boys were found with stash of crack cocaine and heroin at a Hatfield address in January 2021. The shocking discovery revealed they were victims of human trafficking in a ruthless County Lines drug operation.
Cuckooed House Linked to Essex County Lines Drug Network
Hertfordshire police’s Operation Mantis team launched a probe that led to a raid on 3 February at an Essex property tied to the gang. Raphel Duke-Okeze, 24, of Buckhurst Hill, was arrested and charged during the swoop.
Kingpin Sentenced for Drug Dealing and Exploitation
Duke-Okeze pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying Class A drugs and one count of arranging travel for exploitation under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. He was locked up for six years at St Albans Crown Court.
“Duke-Okeze ran the Ricky Line, pushing drugs into Welwyn Hatfield from Essex. Taking down this line deals a big blow to drug use and crime in our area,” said Detective Inspector Alex Willcox.
“This sends a clear warning: drug dealers won’t get away. Exploiting vulnerable people to run drugs is a dark reality of organised gangs. Youngsters are often forced into distributing or providing safe houses, which drags them into violence and abuse.
“We’ve used the Modern Slavery Act here for the first time on a County Lines case. Working with the CPS, we’ve made sure dealers face justice not just for drugs but for exploiting young people. Our message is clear – traffickers and dealers will be caught and punished.”
