Notorious Gang Jailed For Dealing Drugs

Members of a notorious gang have been jailed for a total of 40 years after being convicted of dealing thousands of pounds worth of heroin and crack in and around southwest London estates.

Eleven of the gang were sentenced on Monday, 6 February and Tuesday, 7 February at Snaresbrook Crown Court for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Ringleader Terry Clarke, 27, Dillian Francis, 19, Rashane Wilson, 21, Stefan Miller, 22, Jordan Joseph, 19, Samuel Trye, 21, and six youths who were aged at the time between 14 and 17, were all arrested following a proactive intelligence operation into the drugs network by the Metropolitan Police’s London Crime Squad.

Known as Operation Gorgas, it targeted known drug dealing on several estates in Wandsworth, where crack and heroin were openly being sold by the gang.

The operation began in November 2010, where undercover officers purchased drugs on several sites including the Doddington, Patmore, Surrey Lanes and Winstanley estates in Battersea.

On 30 March 2011, a number of coordinated search warrants were executed and a number of individuals were arrested and charged.

Last week, the following were found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs at Snaresbrook Crown Court after a six week trial, and they were sentenced earlier this week:

•Dillian Francis, 19 (8.4.92) of Sherwood Avenue SW16 - sentenced to five years and six months;

•Rashane Wilson, 21 (2.3.90) of Lavender Road SW11 - sentenced to seven years;

•Terry Clark, 28 (6.2.84) of McDermott Close SW11 - sentenced to seven years;

•A man who was 17 at the time of his arrest in March 2011 (and is now 18) - sentenced to three years and six months;

•Stefan Miller, 22 (16.2.89), of no fixed abode changed his plea to guilty mid-trial - sentenced to four years and 10 months;

The following admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs at an earlier hearing:

•Jordan Joseph, 19 (25.3.92) of Westbridge Road SW11 - sentenced to two years and eight months

•Samuel Trye, 21 (26.3.90) of Ingrave Street SW11 - sentenced to two years and four months

The gang originates from the Wandsworth borough and formed in the early 1980s. It has historically been involved in violence with neighbouring street gangs.

Officers believe they are involved in robbery, burglary, drug supply, vehicle crime and serious public disorder. They have on a number of occasions used their links and control of local drug markets to fuel both violence and inquisitive crime.

During the operation, police observed the gang selling drugs to a wide range of people including children. Clients included ranged from students, smartly dressed professionals to the homeless. They operated day and night at a number of locations, including Surrey University and outside local primary schools.

Detectives believe the network had possibly been running for at least six years selling quantities of heroin and crack between £10 and over £1,000 at a time. According to officers, the arrests have had a significant impact on the community - with no dealers hanging around on the streets and users no longer loitering street corners.

Drugs were cut up at Clark's spare flat which was protected by dogs in the heart of the estate where he lived. Older members controlled how the drugs were sold and purchased. Younger members would act as runners.

(GK)