A man from West Ealing has become the eighth member of a London drug dealing network to be jailed for supplying 100kg of cocaine with a street value of £8m to Londoners between 2019 and 2020.
Aaron Wise, 33 was sentenced to 16 years in prison on 2 August 2024 at Isleworth Crown Court for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
According to Met Police, the organised gang distributed cocaine across both west and east London.
Officers working with the National Crime Agency (NCA) undertook a covert operation to locate the dealers and were able to gather evidence from the encrypted EncroChat communications network by looking at more than four years of phone data.
Police revealed that Wise was the mastermind behind it and was in charge of the couriers. When detectives started arresting members of the gang, Wise fled the country but was arrested in Marbella with assistance from Spanish law enforcement.
Four other members of the network from Ealing who have been sentenced to jail are:
- Lee Willetts, 31 of Pembroke Road, Greenford plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 24 September 2021.
- Georgie Norris, 23 of Burnham Way, Ealing plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to 12 years and eight months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on 18 March 2022.
- Mark Breagan, 41 of Evergreen Court, Ealing plead guilty to being concerned in the supply cocaine and was sentenced to 10 years and four months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on 18 March 2022.
- Alfie Whitbread , 23 of Cambridge Road, Ealing plead guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to eight years and 10 months imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on 18 March 2022.
One man still on the run is James Lee, 58 formally of Darcy Court, West Malling, Police are appealing for any information on him to call 101 or to provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Met detectives spent weeks keeping members of the gang under surveillance across London as they built a watertight case against the group, compiling evidence and piecing together their illicit movements.
When officers started arresting members of the network, Wise fled the country. The Met worked with Spanish authorities and tracked him down to Marbella.
James Lee (13.03.1966) formally of Darcy Court, West Malling, is the only outstanding member of the group and is wanted by police. If you have any information you are asked to call 101 or you can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Detective Constable Gary Jopling, leading the investigation said: “We know the impact drugs have on our communities. They lead to addiction, anti-social behaviour and violence, destroying people’s lives and ripping families apart. That’s why we’re pursuing those who seek to profit from the illegal drugs trade and fuel these destructive addictions.”
He added: “We are determined to keep dangerous people off the streets of London to tackle drug criminality and make the capital a safer place to live, work and raise a family. James Lee is still wanted and anyone with any information should come forward so he can face justice.”
