Two jailed for drugs supply and money laundering between London and Cornwall

Two men have been jailed for money laundering and being concerned in Class A drug supply after being caught in possession of more than £5,000 and burner phones on a train travelling from Cornwall to London.

It follows a successful investigation conducted by British Transport Police (BTP) detectives based in Bristol and its County Lines Taskforce – a police team devoted to tackling organised criminals using the railway to transport drugs.

Ahmed Abdulla, 24, and of Antill Road, London, and Mohammed Aden, 27, of Newland Road, London, appeared at Plymouth Crown Court on 23 June.

Abdulla pleaded guilty to Being Concerned in the Supply of Class A Drugs and Money Laundering, and Aden pleaded guilty to Money Laundering.

On Friday 24 September a judge sentenced Abdulla to five years and six months imprisonment. Aden was handed a four-month prison sentence.

On the evening of Thursday 4 February, officers from BTP and Devon and Cornwall Police were deployed on a joint operation when they boarded a train at Bodmin Parkway station.

The operation was part of a series carried out by BTP in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police that took place throughout February targeting County Lines activity in the region.

While on the train, officers were approached by a ticket inspector who informed them of two men travelling from Par to London with no luggage who had paid for their tickets in cash.

The officers engaged with the two men, Abdulla and Aden, and they were subsequently searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Abdulla was in possession of £3,705 in cash and a burner style phone and Aden was in possession of £2,073 and two burner phones.

Both men were then arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and conveyed to police custody for questioning.

Messages downloaded from the seized phones included references to a County Line named ‘Rocky’ as well as the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

One of the messages, sent to 154 recipients, read “on with both guys, 3 for 25. ROCKY”.

Detective Inspector, Graham Moss, said: “This result is an exemplary example of successful partnership working with our policing colleagues in the South West.

“These joint operations are vital to disrupting the County Lines business model and prosecuting those supplying harmful drugs to our communities.

“The hard work of the investigative team after the arrest of Abdulla and Aden has resulted in a deal line being dismantled and two offenders behind bars.

“I would like to thank the ticket inspector for sharing his concerns with our officers on that day.

“We rely on rail staff and the public to be our eyes and ears on the railway, so if you see something that doesn’t look right, report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.”

Ahmed Abdulla (left) and Mohammed Aden (right).