A British-Nigerian drug gang leader Enoch Odubanjo, who exploited vulnerable people to flood Southend with class A drugs has been jailed in the United Kingdom.
Essex Police in a statement on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, said Odubanjo, 26, was sentenced to seven years in prison at Basildon Crown Court on January 14, after being arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of the drugs.
This comes after officers shut down the “Ace” and “Max” drug lines which had operated in Southend between August and November 2023.
They identified Odubanjo as the man behind these lines, finding that he played a significant role, driving runners and drugs between London and Southend in vehicles registered or leased in his name.
Odubanjo, of Egmont Street, New Cross Gate, London, was found to have exploited vulnerable people to run drugs for him.
The court was told Odubanjo expected to make a significant profit by selling drugs and even had plans to rent a flat at £2,000 per month, but this did not materialise.
“The reality of dealing Class A drugs isn’t glamorous and it doesn’t guarantee wealth or status,” Temporary Detective Inspector Rob Maile, of Operation Raptor South, said.
“The judge in this case commented that the rewards for Odubanjo were perhaps not as high as he had hoped.
“Far from making a profit, he will now spend a number of years behind bars.
“Dealing drugs is a dangerous and risky business which attracts a significant prison sentence.
“We take a tough stance on drug supply because of the wider harm this trade causes.
“In Essex we know the trade in these substances fuels the majority of incidents of serious violence we see.
“The important message from our teams to the community in Southend and wider Essex will always be to report any drug activity you see.
“Even if you don’t see an immediate response, your reports are helping us to build solid cases against drug dealers like Odubanjo.”
Their investigation identified messages advertising crack cocaine and heroin to drug users in Southend.
Odubanjo enlisted Leanne Callaghan, 43, of Catford, London, who was captured on CCTV in October 2023 engaging in a drug deal in Southend.
The “Max” line was found to have sent out a bulk advertising message to almost 100 people.
The court heard she was in the grip of drug addiction, was suffering with health conditions and had been pressured into taking part in the operation.
She was given a 21-month suspended sentence at same court as Odubanjo with a rehabilitation activity requirement, after she admitted charges she was involved in running drugs on three occasions.
Odubanjo was convicted on both charges after a trial and jailed for seven years and six months.