Human Traffickers Jailed for Exploiting Vulnerable Teens in Devon and Cornwall
Miss Itman Ismail, 28, from Stratford, and Omorie Nixon, 20, from Ilford, have been locked up for trafficking four vulnerable youths and supplying Class A drugs across Devon and Cornwall. The pair pleaded guilty to three counts of human trafficking, with Nixon also convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, plus possession of an illicit mobile phone in prison.
County Lines Drugs Operation Uncovered
- Nixon sentenced to 7 years and 10 months.
- Ismail handed 4 years behind bars.
- Convicted at Exeter Crown Court after an 11-month police probe.
- First successful County Lines human trafficking conviction in Devon and Cornwall.
The criminal couple used vulnerable teens – two 15-year-olds and two 16-year-olds – to carry and sell crack cocaine and heroin in towns including Torquay, Plymouth, and Penzance. Police found drugs hidden inside the teenagers’ bodies, revealing quantities up to £1,290 worth of crack and heroin concealed internally. Forensic experts warned any rupture could have been fatal.
Exploiting Missing Children
Three of the four youths had previously been classified as high-risk missing children. Disturbingly, Ismail had worked as a deputy manager in a London care group supporting vulnerable young adults and was Nixon’s key worker before turning to crime. Police caught the pair during late-night stops, with bodycam footage showing Ismail denying the age of a 15-year-old passenger.
Detectives uncovered multiple “cuckooed” addresses – properties taken over by drug gangs – stacked with drugs, cash, and a machete. The duo frequently shuttled between London and the Westcountry, racking up thousands of miles and hiring multiple cars to avoid detection, even covering a dashcam lens to hide their activities.
Investigation and Police Praise
Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police, backed by the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Orochi team targeting London-based County Lines gangs, arrested Ismail and Nixon in March 2020. Phone records revealed searches like “drug towns” and “Torquay drug problem,” while bank accounts showed large cash deposits during the trafficking period.
Detective Constable Ben Paul said: “This was a complex case using a mosaic of evidence proving Nixon and Ismail exploited vulnerable youths to traffic and sell drugs. Their actions put children’s lives at serious risk. We want this conviction to send a clear message — this crime won’t be tolerated.” Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer added: “The exploitation and trafficking of children for drugs is modern slavery in its worst form. The cooperation between our forces and agencies has been outstanding. These young victims can now begin to rebuild their lives while their abusers face justice.” Senior Crown Prosecutor Ann Hampshire commented: “Modern slavery cases like this are incredibly complex. Thanks to close multi-agency work, these offenders have been brought to justice and their victims safeguarded.”
This landmark case highlights the brutal reality behind County Lines drug dealing and the urgent need to protect vulnerable youths from exploitation.
