A drug dealer who boasted of running the streets of Tower Hamlets and compared himself to infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar is now behind bars following a successful police operation in east London.
Shahen Ahmed, 34, of Stevedore Street, E1, was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 13 September. He was convicted of being involved in the supply of Class A drugs.
Ahmed’s activities were uncovered by officers working on Operation Yamata, a targeted effort to dismantle drug supply networks across the city and pursue those responsible for operating them. During the investigation, officers identified three sophisticated drug supply lines operating under the banner “Killah” between December 2021 and June 2022.
On 28 June 2022, officers executed a warrant at Ahmed’s residence on Stevedore Street and another address linked to him. During the raid, they discovered a large quantity of Class A drugs and more than £60,000 in cash. Ahmed was promptly arrested and taken into custody, later facing charges that led to his conviction.
Detective Inspector Sam Bennett from Operation Yamata explained, “My team seized a number of devices from Ahmed. On examination, we found a video of Ahmed proudly boasting to an unknown passenger about his criminal activity, referring to himself as ‘Pablo’ and claiming to run the streets.
Bennett continued, “Drugs are inextricably linked to violence and misery on our streets. They blight communities and ruin lives. To see Ahmed speak so casually and proudly about his involvement is a concern, but it also motivates us and makes us even more determined to bring people like him to justice.
In addition to the drugs and cash discovered, investigators revealed that Ahmed concealed over £600,000 of illicit cash through his business accounts. Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Economic Crime Unit are now working to recover these funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Ahmed’s conviction is another success for Operation Yamata, which aims to dismantle drug operations that contribute to community violence and exploitation.
“Thanks to the diligence and hard work of my officers, Ahmed now has even more in common with his famed idol – a significant jail sentence,” added DI Bennett.
