London Gangsters Jailed for Human Trafficking in Groundbreaking County Lines Case
Two London gang members have been slammed with hefty jail terms for trafficking a vulnerable young woman to run drugs across the UK in a first-ever use of human trafficking laws in a county lines case.
County Lines Crime Takes a Dark Turn
Mahad Yusuf, 21, from Edmonton, north London, and Fesal Mahamud, 20, from Enfield, pleaded guilty to trafficking a 19-year-old woman under the Modern Slavery Act. They forced her to transport and sell Class A drugs—crack cocaine and heroin—in South Wales. On April 13, Swansea Crown Court sentenced Yusuf to nine years and Mahamud to ten years behind bars.
Victim’s Nightmare Exposed
The teenager was lured via social media, then driven to South Wales where Yusuf claimed she “belonged to him.” Her phone was smashed, she was held captive for five days, beaten, and forced to store drugs in her body. The gang ran a ruthless county line operation from London to Swansea, exploiting the vulnerable for criminal gain.
Historic Legal Crackdown
Police from the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command teamed up with South Wales Police to bring these criminals to justice, using human trafficking laws for the first time in a county lines case. Both men face 20-year Slavery Trafficking Prevention Orders to stop them from reoffending.
Police Warn on County Lines Exploitation
Detective Inspector Rick Sewart said: “The victim suffered a horrendous ordeal. Her bravery in coming forward stopped others from being exploited. This sentence sends a clear message that we will not tolerate such crimes.”
Detective Superintendent Tim Champion added: “Criminal networks are exploiting young people to flood the drug market. We will use every tool available to shut this down.”
If you suspect anyone is being exploited or trafficked, contact the Police, Crimestoppers, NSPCC, Childline, or the Modern Slavery helpline on 08000 121 700.
