A man who headed up two drugs lines in north London and preyed on vulnerable drug users to distribute products on his behalf has been jailed after a ten-month intelligence led operation.
Gafar Bakare, 36 (17.06.87) from Campbell Walk, N1, was jailed for eight years and seven months on Monday, 22 April at Wood Green Crown Court following a long-running investigation led by officers from the Local Investigations Unit in Camden and Islington.
Bakare was in charge of two drug lines, which operated across Camden and Islington which made almost £320,000 in 2022. Four others involved have previously pleaded guilty and been sentenced.
After identifying the criminal network in January 2022, detectives began to monitor the movements of the group and carried out in-depth analysis of CCTV and communications data.
Searches were executed at eight addresses on 13 December 2022, including Bakare’s home address, where drugs with an estimated street value of £14k were seized. Alongside this, criminal property, such as designer clothing and cash, to the value of £4000 was also seized.
Specialist drug expert witnesses analysed a seized phone and provided key evidence to show the terms used in messages meant the user was saying he was available to sell drugs.
DC Matt Eggins, who led the investigation, said: “The extensive work involved in this proactive operation shows how committed we are to tackling illegal drug supply.
“Bakare sold large amounts of class A drugs to make as much money as possible – he never thought about the effect on the communities he bought criminality into. He preyed on users of his own product to cover for his role at the head of the network, all for his own financial gain.
“We are doing all we can to tackle this type of crime and would encourage anyone who has information about those involved in drug supply to contact us.”
On 19 May 2023, Bakare appeared at Wood Green Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and possession of criminal property.
David Turkson, 63 (28.11.60) of no fixed address was convicted of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – sentenced to 40 months in prison.
Anthony Haigh, 30 (10.12.93) of no fixed address was convicted of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Lee Rosser, 36 (24.09.87) of no fixed address was convicted of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Tara Turbitt, 53 (21.11.70) of Papworth Gardens, N7 was convicted of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin – sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for 24 months.