Gang of four jailed in county lines sting after missing Croydon teenager found in Scotland

A Met investigation into a drugs line from London to Scotland has resulted in a gang of four men being jailed for more than 14 years and a missing child found.

On Tuesday, the four men were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court.

The investigation began in November 2022 after officers raised concerns of a missing 16-year-old child.

It was found that the child had travelled from Croydon to Dundee on November 7, 2022.

It was then discovered that the four men had also travelled to Dundee around the same time. 

On November 16, 2022, Ellis Davey, 22, of Springfield Avenue, Merton, was arrested in Strathmartine Road, Dundee. He was found in possession of 100 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin.

While being arrested, Davey began shouting to alert Dylan Newman, 21, of no fixed address, who was in a nearby house. He was also arrested and found to be in possession of an active class A drugs line.

The missing 16-year-old child was found at the house. Police also seized knives and class A drugs from the address.

These arrests led officers to a house in Monifieth Road, Dundee. Both Malik Paul, 26, of Dynevor Road, Hackney, and Michael Nwadire, 28, of Balmore Crescent, Barnet, were found at the house and arrested. Paul attempted to escape by climbing out of the window.

Further weapons and money were recovered from the home. The phones found during the course of the investigation showed that Paul was the head of the group. 

He directed the other men and had conducted extensive research on Dundee before travelling there.

Detective Inspector Scott Carswell, of Police Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: “Human trafficking is a despicable crime and I acknowledge today’s sentencing.

“These types of crimes have a long-term impact on the victims and we are committed to working with our partners to identify those responsible and help protect the victims.

“I would like to thank all our partners, including the Met, for their work during this investigation.”

Paul was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment, Nwadire and Newman and Davey were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

All four men had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. 

The child was safeguarded and referred to Children’s Services.

Pictured top: From left, Dylan Newman, Ellis Davey, Michael Nwadire and Malik Paul (Picture: The Met)