London Drug Dealer Sentenced for Exploiting Teenagers in High Wycombe Drug Operation
A London drug dealer who lured teenagers into selling hard drugs, leaving them traumatised, has been jailed for over five years. Arkan Omer, 24, of Empire Way, Wembley, was locked up for five years and four months at Amersham Crown Court on January 26 for his crimes in High Wycombe.
Details of the Exploitation and Sentencing
Omer pleaded guilty to two counts of arranging or facilitating the travel of another person with a view to exploitation. In addition to his prison sentence, he was given a 10-year slavery and trafficking prevention order. Two days later, he received a concurrent sentence of three years and nine months after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to two counts of possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
The case unraveled on June 4 last year when Thames Valley Police received information about a drug deal. Plain-clothes officers arrived and apprehended an 18-year-old man and two 16-year-old boys from High Wycombe on suspicion of involvement in class A drug supply.
Police Investigation and Hotel Drug Base
Police identified that the same drug line was operating from the rear car park of the Wendover Arms Hotel. Officers returned to the area and found Omer with the two boys who had been arrested earlier. Upon stopping Omer for a drugs search, officers discovered £900 in cash and a key card for a hotel room.
A subsequent room search revealed wraps of crack cocaine and heroin hidden in the bathroom, along with more heroin and scales under the bed. Omer was arrested on the same day and charged the following day.
Role of Accomplice and Impact on Victims
It was established that Omer had enlisted the two boys to run the 'Power' drugs line while he was abroad. He also hired Nicola Foreman, 51, as an assistant to oversee the day-to-day operations in his absence. Foreman was arrested on July 26 and charged on October 10.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs at Amersham Crown Court on January 26 this year and was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for one year and six months. The arrested boys and man were released with no further action.
Police Statement on the Case
Investigating officer PC Peter Robinson commented on the severity of the exploitation: "This case involved juveniles being used to sell class A drugs on the streets of High Wycombe, with the victims being transported by Arkan Omer. During the investigation, it was identified that he was exploiting juveniles to deal drugs on his behalf, coaching them on how to advertise a drugs line and providing customer contact details."
He added: "The victims were lured in with promises of money and status. Instead, their childhood innocence has been stolen, their education hindered, and unknown trauma inflicted. Our message to drug dealers is clear: it is only a matter of time before you are arrested."
Robinson urged the public to report any information about drug dealing by contacting the police via their website, visiting a station, or calling 101.
