A county lines drug dealer who went to elaborate lengths to conceal his location — including routing all his devices through a virtual private network — was caught after a single slip: logging into public Wi-Fi at the address where he was hiding.
Joel Louis, 34 (16.06.92), of Ealing Road, Wembley, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Friday, 11 September to 12 years and nine months’ imprisonment for offences connected to the supply of cocaine and heroin in north Kilburn.
The ‘Bobby’ drugs line
The Met had been investigating the ‘Bobby’ drugs line after examining the mobile phones seized from children suspected of being involved in drug supply. However, the dealer in charge of the line had taken extensive steps to conceal his location and had been running all devices through a virtual private network (VPN).
Officers were able to identify Louis as the line owner after he inadvertently logged into a public Wi-Fi connection at the address he was hiding at.
“How did you find me?”
As soon as officers had this intelligence, they executed a warrant at the address in Wembley on Tuesday, 7 July. Louis had tried to hide in a wardrobe but was immediately discovered by officers. During the arrest he asked officers: “how did you find me?”
A search of the address led to the recovery of Class A drugs, including cocaine and heroin with a street value of £8,800, approximately £8,000 in cash and six mobile phones — one of which was identified as the phone used to run the ‘Bobby’ line.
Officers also found a loaded firearm concealed inside a box, thirteen rounds of 9mm ammunition, including three rounds loaded into the firearm’s magazine, a machete, and a flip knife.
100 calls a day from 250 drug users
Later analysis of his phone found Louis was receiving more than 100 calls a day from his contact list of nearly 250 drug users. He had also bragged to some about how he owned a firearm.
Louis was charged on Tuesday, 7 July with two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition.
Young people exploited as runners
Detective Constable Lauren Gresty, who led the investigation, said: “Louis recruited numerous young people to move drugs around north Kilburn, exposing them to violence, intimidation and criminality for his own financial gain.”
“County lines devastates lives. It is far more than drug dealing. It causes damage to local communities through its connections to acquisitive crimes and anti-social behavior.”
She added: “Louis believed he could hide from police to further his offending, but this result shows our tenacity in going after those who cause the most harm in London.”
Warning signs of criminal exploitation
The Met says there are several warning signs that may indicate a child is being criminally exploited. These can include frequently going missing from school or home and being found in other areas, having unexplained items such as a new mobile phone and money, unexplained injuries and a change in behaviour — angry, aggressive, withdrawn, secretive, or carrying weapons for their own protection.
The Met works with various charities that can help young people, including The Children’s Society, Catch22 County Lines Support and Rescue, Missing People SafeCall, and the Ivison Trust, which supports young people trapped in debt bondage.
If you are concerned about drug-related crime in your area or think someone may be a victim of drug exploitation, call police on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency. To provide information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Reporting based on the Metropolitan Police.
