Gang jailed following Barrow drugs investigation

The following men were sentenced today (12^th October) at Burnley Crown Court, after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs namely heroin and crack cocaine.

• Daniel Olaloko, aged 19, of Corporation Street, Preston was sentenced to 7 years in prison.
• Peter Adebayo, aged 19, of Old Lane, Manchester, was sentenced to 7 years in prison.
• Joshua Adams, aged 24, of No Fixed Abode, was sentenced to 4 years 5 months in prison.
• A 17-year-old male from Manchester, was sentenced to 1 year 6 months in detention and a training order.

This investigation, ‘Operation Titanic’, was a proactive response by Cumbria Police to the County Lines method of Class A drug supply being used by offenders from larger cities.

The activity, led by Daniel Olaloko and Peter Adebayo, ran between 1^st December 2017 and April 26th 2018 and concerned the running and supplying of significant amounts of Class A drugs namely Heroin and Crack Cocaine.

This commercial enterprise ran from London, Manchester and Preston.

Olaloko and Adebayo set up a sophisticated phone relay system whereby addicts would call a number to place an order for drugs.  Olaloko and Adebayo would receive this call in other parts of the UK including, Manchester, Preston and London.  They would then direct others in the conspiracy to deliver the drugs to customers in Barrow-in-Furness.  The brand name given to the line was ‘Nation’.  On a regular basis this brand name would advertise the sale of drugs via text messages to potential customers.  Those messages read “ON BEST OF BOTH NATION…”

Police had their first intervention with this Organised Crime Group in early December 2017 when they raided a property in Barrow.  In excess of 200 street deals were recovered and cash.

Following this initial raid three persons were sentenced after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Supply Class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin.

• Lyndon Koroma, aged 19, Dodson Street, Southwark, London, was sentenced to 5 years in prison.
• John Rogers, aged 21, of Hawkstone Road, Southwark, London, was sentenced to a 2 years 5 months in prison.
• Karen Mcullough, aged 40, of Rawlinson Street, Barrow, was sentenced to 10 months in Prison.

Those named above all acted under direction of Olaloko and Adebayo.

As the investigation progressed, further arrests were made.  Adams was involved in the running of the drugs travelling from London to Barrow.

Acting under the direction of others in the group he resided in a location in Barrow in order to supply drugs.

The 17-year-old male – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was also arrested in Barrow.  He was not native to the area and also acted under the control of higher members of the Organised Crime Group.

During the Operation the police seized a significant amount of Class A drugs and cash.

On the 26^th April 2018 Operation Titanic came to a conclusion when coordinated strikes took place in Preston and Manchester.  Warrants were executed by Cumbria Constabulary at the addresses of Olaloko and Adebayo, supported by officers from Manchester, and Lancashire police.

The ‘NATION’ dealer line along with large amounts of Class A drugs were found at the home address of Adebayo.  Item used to prepare crack cocaine were located on the premises including a large amount of cutting agents and bi carbonate of soda.

When police searched the address of Olaloko they also found large amounts of Class A drugs and articles which suggested that they were being prepared for onward supply.  Various bladed articles were also recovered.

A spokesperson from South Cumbria Drug Squad said:

“These men operated as a sophisticated and relentless organised crime group. They targeted vulnerable people to facilitate their illegal activity and used fear and intimidation to operate their business.

“As is common with the County Lines activity a mobile phone known as ‘the line’ was used to contact users to set up deals. With extensive and good work by officers we were able to show links between the line and the offenders.

“During this operation officers not only removed drugs that were destined to be sold on the streets, but a substantial quantity of dangerous weapons were taken out of the hands of those potentially intending to use them for harm.

“Today’s sentencing is further evidence of our commitment to tackling the County Lines drug supply model which is in use across the UK.

“The sentences handed out to these men show that this type of criminality will not be tolerated in Cumbria. Anyone found to be involved in the supply of controlled drugs should be aware that we will use all available powers available to us to make sure those committing offences are brought to justice.”