Four Drug Dealers Jailed for Nearly 12 Years Over Gravesend County Lines Operation
Michael Olarabiro and Tia Henry were key players in the notorious G-line, a crack cocaine and heroin distribution network. Alongside two other dealers, they have been handed prison sentences totaling almost 12 years.
Whistleblower Phone Leads to Swift Police Bust
The G-line operated from June to September 2022, pushing Class A drugs across Gravesend. Police were tipped off by bulk messages advertising drugs sent from a mobile phone. On August 3, officers spotted Olarabiro trying to flee and discard a phone. He was caught, and the seized phones revealed his role in coordinating deals with Henry, arrested days later.
G-line Continues Briefly, But Police Close In on All Four
Despite Olarabiro and Henry’s arrests, the G-line kept running using new numbers. The investigation uncovered the involvement of James Adodo and Sharif Flanders. Both were nabbed in September with incriminating phones. Officers also seized 124 wraps of Class A drugs at an address connected to Flanders.
Heavy Sentences for All
- Michael Olarabiro, 21, of Gravesend, was jailed for 3 years and 6 months at Woolwich Crown Court after admitting two counts of drug supply.
- Tia Henry, 40, from Brockley, London, received 18 months for similar charges.
- James Adodo, 22, of Dartford, was sentenced to 3 years in October 2022.
- Sharif Flanders, 26, with no fixed address, got 3 years and 8 months in November after pleading guilty to multiple drug offences.
“Olarabiro played a pivotal role within this county line network, using his influence to instruct others and supply significant quantities of heroin and crack cocaine throughout Gravesend,” said Scott Spedding of the County Lines and Gangs Team.
“Criminals like these bring violence and misery to our communities, but we’re relentlessly targeting and disrupting their operations. Thanks to teamwork with local partners and communities, we’re making it harder for dealers to take hold.”
