Armed Croydon drug supplier begins 12-year stretch

Three men have been sentenced at Croydon Crown Court for collaborating to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

The ringleader Daniel Griffin, 25, of Church Road, Croydon, was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment on Friday, August 30.

He was found guilty of the supply and possession of the Class A drugs, and possession of two firearms and live ammunition.

Two of his accomplices pleaded guilty to also being involved in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

Sonny Panice, 34, of Brunswick Road, Sutton, was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment on Wednesday, September 4. Cairo Khalid, 22, of Brighton Road, Purley, was given a two-year suspended sentence on Wednesday 4 September.

The investigation into the gang formed part of the Met’s Operation Yamata, which focuses on dismantling drug supply networks across the city and pursuing those operating them. So far the Met has closed 1,000 drug lines as a result of this work.

Through Yamata, Met officers identified Griffin as the leader of a drugs line in South London.

On March 5, officers executed a raid at Griffin’s home, where they discovered several phones used in the supply of drugs, crack cocaine and heroin worth £14,000, a sawn-off shotgun, a rifle and more than 200 rounds of live ammunition. Griffin was arrested before being charged and remanded in custody.

The investigation into Griffin allowed officers to discover the identities of two accomplices, Khalid and Panice. On July 9, officers executed a search warrant at the home of Panice, where they discovered further quantities of Class A drugs. Both Panice and Khalid were arrested the same day.

Operation Yamata was established in 2022 to combat drug dealing across the capital. Specialist officers use innovative data techniques to track and dismantle drug lines used for the sale of Class A drugs.

The Met say officers launch investigations into mobile phone lines used to supply drugs. They then track down those operating the lines and arrest them with the assistance of local officers who have expert knowledge of their neighbourhoods.

Police Constable Sam Kirk, who led the investigation, said: “Drugs ruin lives. The damage they cause to individuals and communities is far-reaching.

“Our sustained efforts to tackle drug supply is an important step in reducing violence on the streets. This investigation should serve as a message to criminals and gang members involved in the supply of drugs – we will come after you and we will bring you to justice.”

Pictured top: Daniel Griffin (Picture: The Met)