East London Crack and Heroin Gang Busted in County Lines Crackdown
Nathan Padman, 21, and Irfan Tarik, 43, from Ilford, East London, have been unmasked as the masterminds behind the notorious ‘Ashton’ crack and heroin dealing gang.
Exploiting the Vulnerable
Wiltshire Police’s Operation Fortitude launched a nine-month probe from January to September 2020. They uncovered the network was using trafficked juveniles and addicted Class A drug users to push their deadly products across the county.
The gang supplied heroin and crack cocaine directly to undercover officers on five occasions in January 2020. The investigation swiftly swung into action, making early arrests including Shohidur Rahman, 45, from Swindon, who played a key supporting role.
Justice Served at Swindon Crown Court
Padman, Tarik, and Rahman were charged earlier this year with supplying Class A drugs after police linked them firmly to the Ashton ring. All three pleaded guilty and were handed heavy jail sentences on December 15 at Swindon Crown Court.
- Nathan Padman: 44 months behind bars
- Irfan Tarik: 32 months in prison
- Shohidur Rahman: 25 months incarceration
Strong Words from Police
“This was an excellent piece of work by the Fortitude team which required a diligent, creative investigation,” said T/DS Gareth Snoad. “Padman and Tarik were causing untold harm by exploiting vulnerable juveniles and existing drug users for their own gain, perpetuating the misery that drugs cause in societies. “I’m delighted we were able to secure convictions and that the three defendants will be spending the next few years behind bars. “This was a county lines operation and the end result shows that it doesn’t matter where you base yourself, if you are supplying drugs in Wiltshire then we will track you down.”
These convictions send a message: county lines dealers beware—police are closing in, no matter where you hide.
