Six British Bangladeshi men have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 14 years’ behind bars for numerous drug supply offences in Tower Hamlets area of east London following a four-month covert surveillance operation by Scotland Yard.
Junel Ahmed, 23, was sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and Mahmudur Hassan, also aged 23, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to the supply of crack cocaine and heroin as well as possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin at hearings at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London on September 27 and 28.
Alomgir Hussain, 25, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. Another three men were handed suspended sentences which refer to deferred custodial sentences under strict conditions, the breach of which would land them behind bars.
These include three 18-year-olds - Ruhel Hussain, who was given a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine; Atefur Rahman, who was given a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to the supply of crack cocaine and heroin; and Mohammed Sherwaan Chowdhury, who was also given a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and possession of criminal property. He was additionally handed a three-month electronic curfew, which means his movements would be monitored through an electronic device, and 150 hours of community service.
"This has been a significant operation for Tower Hamlets and removing these men from our streets is an incredible result for the local community and London as a whole. They were all linked to the supply of crack cocaine and heroin and putting them in jail will severely disrupt the supply of drugs in the area,” said Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Mike Hamer, from the Tower Hamlets Crime, Gangs and Drugs lead.
"Operation Continuum responds to significant community concerns by targeting drug dealers, as well as providing addiction support for drug users. By tackling drug dealing in the area we can continue to have a positive and long-term impact on related crimes such as violent crime and anti-social behaviour,” he said.
The men were convicted following a series of raids and arrests made in June and July in east London as part of a long-term crackdown on the supply of drugs, violence and anti-social behaviour in the Whitechapel area, which has London's largest Bangladeshi population.
The operation, known as "Continuum", is a partnership operation between police, Tower Hamlets Council and local housing associations. More than 300 officers were involved in the raids, led by Tower Hamlets officers, with additional support from the Territorial Support Group (TSG), surrounding boroughs and the Met's Dog Unit.
During searches of more than 50 addresses, officers seized over £60,000 in cash, over half a kilo of Class A or banned drugs and four stun-guns.
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: "This is a great result for Tower Hamlets. Residents have told us that anti-social behaviour and crime associated with drugs is one of their biggest concerns, and our work with the police is tackling this head on.
"Our joint message to drug dealers is clear – we will push for the strongest penalties for those who peddle drugs in the borough.”
Councillor Asma Begum, Tower Hamlets Cabinet Member for Community Safety, added: "Drug dealing is a blight in our community and it is a priority for the council and the police to disrupt the drug markets in the borough.
"Our partnership work with the police is taking hundreds of drug dealers off the streets and we will continue to maximise our resources to make our streets safer."
A number of other men arrested as part of the crackdown, including Masoom Ali, 18, and Dilshad Chowdhury, 47, are set to be sentenced next month, also related to the supply of crack cocaine and the supply of heroin.