LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – A 26-year-old Nigerian man, Olusegun Babalola, has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment in the UK, for dealing drugs.
According to reports, Babalola, was arrested on Friday, 19 May, after Police raided his home in Whitsed Street, Eastfield, as part of an operation into drug dealing and exploitation in Peterborough.
Following months of intelligence gathering, Police investigations revealed that Babalola had been involved in supplying crack cocaine and heroin in the city as part of a “county lines” operation.
Police reports claim that during the raid in his home, more than £7,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine wraps were found hidden within a tissue box on the kitchen worktop.
READ ALSO: Two Nigerians Arrested In Drug Buy-Bust Operation In The Philippines, P6.2m Heroin Seized
Other drug paraphernalia, including small weighing scales and multiple mobile phones, one of which was later confirmed to be the “deal line” were found in the one-bedroom flat, along with a considerable amount of designer clothing and footwear.
Babalola appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on 15 September, where he was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison after previously admitting to the five counts of supplying crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, and possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Commenting on the verdict, Detective Constable Olly Campbell, the investigation officer, said, “Babalola had a considerable amount of designer goods in his possession, which was not consistent with the lifestyle of someone who claimed to not currently be in employment.
“Through a range of tactics, we were able to build up a significant amount of evidence to prove he not only was dealing drugs but played a leading role in the county lines set-up, meaning he had little choice but to admit the offences in court.”
Babalola is the seventh person to be sentenced as part of Operation Tsunami, a crackdown on exploitation and illegal drugs in Peterborough.