A man who was stopped and searched twice in December has been jailed for possessing a large zombie knife and for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Ryan Manzeke, 18, (12.4.00) of Church Lane, Hornsey was arrested in Camden on 10 December 2018.

Officers on routine patrol stopped Manzeke at around 1510hrs that day as he was acting suspiciously near to a school in North Gower Street, NW1. He ran off but was detained by officers nearby, where he was found to be in possession of a zombie knife with a 17 inch blade and 108 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine.

He was released under investigation in connection with the drugs offences, pending analysis of the substances recovered, but pleaded guilty on 28 December at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court to possessing the knife.

At around 1750hrs on 28 December – the same day as his court appearance – Manzeke was stopped and searched by officers in Clarence Gardens, NW1. He was found to be in possession of around 50 wraps of crack cocaine.

Manzeke pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court 18 January to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

He was sentenced on 11 March at Blackfriars Crown Court to a total of five years’ imprisonment for possession of the knife and three counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. A seven year Criminal Behaviour Order was also imposed

Manzeke had appeared in a drill music video glorifying violence and making threats towards opposing gang members, which was posted on YouTube on 7 December 2018. This video has since been removed.

DC Arif Sheikh of the Central North Gangs Unit said:”This case highlights how the use of stop and search can take dangerous knives and drugs off London’s streets.

“Anyone considering a lifestyle built around supplying drugs, revelling in a gang lifestyle and carrying a potentially lethal weapon should consider the five year sentence that Manzeke has received.”

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