A drug dealer was caught by officers hiding in a wardrobe after connecting to public Wi-Fi.
The Metropolitan Police had been investigating the “Bobby” drugs line after examining the mobile phones seized from children suspected of being involved in drug supply.
Joel Louis, 34, took extreme measures to remain anonymous online, and used a virtual private network (VPN) for all his devices. But he slipped up when he logged into a public Wi-Fi connection at an address in Wembley on July 7.
Officers executing the arrest warrant discovered Louis hiding in a wardrobe.
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.
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, 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition, including three rounds loaded into the firearm’s magazine, a machete, and a flip knife.
Louis bragged about owning a firearm – Metropolitan Police
Louis was charged on July 7 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.
He was sentenced to 12 years and nine months’ imprisonment for offences connected to the supply of cocaine and heroin in north Kilburn at Harrow Crown Court on Friday.
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 devastate lives. It is far more than drug dealing. It causes damage to local communities through its connections to acquisitive crimes and anti-social behaviour.
“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.”
