Aaron Wise, a 33-year-old man from West Ealing, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement in a drug dealing network that operated in London. This comes after a thorough investigation by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
Wise is the latest member of the drug network to face justice, as officers worked tirelessly for over a year to gather evidence against the group. The network was found to be distributing cocaine across both west and east London, contributing to drug addiction in the city.
The investigation into the group was kickstarted when the encrypted EncroChat platform was infiltrated, allowing detectives to work closely with the National Crime Agency. This collaboration led to a covert operation that targeted drug distributors throughout London.
By analysing four years’ worth of phone data, investigators were able to uncover the full extent of the network’s activities. The court heard that the gang had supplied over 100kg of cocaine to Londoners in 2019-2020, with an estimated street value of £8 million.
Wise was identified as the mastermind behind the operation, responsible for organising the network into drug couriers and cash couriers. This made it more challenging for law enforcement to track down all members of the group.
After several members of the network were arrested, Wise attempted to flee the country. However, thanks to the collaboration with Spanish authorities, the Metropolitan Police were able to locate him in Marbella. One member of the group, James Lee from Kent, is still at large.
In addition to Aaron Wise, other individuals who have been jailed as part of this operation include Jack Lee from Welling, Gareth Morris from Greenwich, Lee Willetts from Greenford, Matthew O’Brien from Ruislip Gardens, Georgie Norris from Hanwell, Mark Breagan from Hanwell, and Alfie Whitbread from Hanwell.
This successful operation demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement in tackling drug-related crimes and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. The sentencing of Aaron Wise sends a strong message that drug dealing will not be tolerated in London, and those involved will face severe consequences.
