Four gang members have been jailed and a missing child rescued after police rumbled a major drugs line from London to Dundee.
Officers from the Met Police launched a probe after concerns were raised for the welfare of the 16-year-old on November 14 last year.
Detectives discovered the youth, from Croydon, had travelled north of the border earlier that month - closely followed by Malik Paul, 26, Michael Nwadire, 28, Dylan Newman, 21, and Ellis Davey, 22.
Operation Orochi was launched with officers racing to Dundee where they began a major joint investigation with Police Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Team.
On 16 November, Davey was arrested on Strathmartine Road where was found in possession of 100 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin. Whilst being detained, the dealer began shouting to alert Newman who was in a nearby address.
The second property was identified and Newman was arrested for being in possession of an active class A drugs line. The missing teenager was then found stashed inside the property which had been taken over by the crime gang.
Officers also seized knives and class A drugs during the raid. Police were then led to a third location on Monifieth Road where they found Paul and Nwadire hiding. Both were arrested despite one of the men trying to climb out of a window.
On Tuesday, all four gang members were jailed for a total of 14 years at Woolwich Crown Court after they admitted being concerned in the conspiracy to supply drugs.
Detective Inspector Scott Carswell of Police Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Team, has welcomed the conviction. He said: “Human trafficking is a despicable crime and I acknowledge today’s sentencing.
“These types of crimes have a long term impact on the victims and we are committed to working with our partners to identify those responsible and help protect the victims.
“I would like to thank all our partners, including the Metropolitan Police for their work during this investigation.”
Detective Constable Jamie Helps from Operation Orochi, added: “This sentence sends a message to drug dealers that Op Orochi has no borders and we will work relentlessly with our colleagues across the UK to bring you to justice
“Drugs devastate communities and destroy lives, but these men did not care about this as long as they made money.
“The public may believe that county lines do not have a wider impact on communities but the consequences of this type of criminality should not be underestimated.”
The teenager was not prosecuted and was instead referred to safeguarding services.
