IT’S NINE YEARS in jail for Georgis Kefeyalew, 45, of Silvertown, E16. That was the sentence handed down to the convicted drug dealer when he appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week.
Kefeyalew had already been convicted of: •intent to support a Class B drug (cannabis); •two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine); •possession of criminal property. However, the nine year sentence was reduced to six years imprisonment because the defendant had pleaded guilty.
The sentencing was the culmination of an investigation carried out by various sections of the Metropolitan Police, including CID. The investigation led to the police obtaining a warrant enabling them to carry out a search at a residential address in Silverton. The search was carried out back in March by police officers from the Beckton & Royal Docks Neighbourhood teams, with the support of Newham’s Neighbour Tasking Team.
A large quantity of Class A and Class B drugs and were found in the property. Once the drugs had been tested, they were deemed to have a value over £90,000 – and could have fetched £750,000 if sold on the streets. Officers also found around £39,000 in cash. The Court later ordered that the police should keep the cash found at the property to use in future operations against crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act. During the search, Kefeyalew was arrested and taken to an East London police station, where he was charged the following day.
Sergeant James Mason said, “This investigation has prevented a significant amount of drugs from being sold on the streets of London. In addition, the seizure of the cash and the drugs has dismantled what was clearly an organised and brazen drug supply operation and disrupted access to drugs for dealers on a local level.
“Police understand the misery that drugs can bring to local people and the negative affect that it has on neighbourhoods. The sentence handed down clearly demonstrates how seriously drug supply is taken and also the positive impact of local communities working with their police service to remove the stain of drugs from the areas where they live, work and raise their families.”
●Anyone who has any information about drug dealing in East London can help keep their community safe by reporting their suspicions to the police. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111 or go to www.fearless.org and give information anonymously.
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