Six drug gang members convicted after gun and drugs found in car

Six men have been convicted for drug and firearm offences after police stopped a car in June last year.

The car was stopped by officers in Astoria Way, A14, on 12 June and was found to contain a Turkish Retay 9mm Self Loading Pistol, ammunition and a quantity of Class A crack cocaine and heroin.

Police arrested a man at the time and an address nearby was searched and significant quantities of crack cocaine and cash were recovered.

Following the discovery and arrest, a complex investigation was initiated by officers from Central East Command with assistance from OP Yamata, part of SC Specialist Crime Command. They were able to establish that the gun, ammunition, drugs and cash were being used by a violent Organised Criminal Network (OCN). This OCN supplied Class A drugs to vulnerable drug users within the E14 area.

Two male adults were further identified as conspiring to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, conspiring to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and one other male for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Another two male adults were identified as taking part in the wider conspiracy to supply Class A drugs within this OCN.

All of these six men were charged by police and were convicted on 20 February 2024 at Snaresbrook Crown Court with sentencing adjourned until 23 April 2024:

1. Ibrahim Shofique of Paddle Steamer House, Pettacre Close, SE28
2. Mashud Miah of Aurora Point 1, Winchester Square, SE8
3. Muhibur Rahman of Corry House, Wades Place, E14
4. James Greeno of Wharfside Point North, 262 Poplar High Street, E14
5. Brian Murphy of Arundel Court, 82 Verney Road, SE16
6. Can not be named for legal reasons

Miah, Rahman and Greeno were convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life,  and conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Shofique, Murphy, and the sixth man who cannot be named for legal reasons were convicted of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin.

This activity forms part of Operation Continuum, an intelligence-led, phased operation by the police and Tower Hamlets Council established in response to ongoing reports of drug dealing, drug use and associated criminality in Tower Hamlets.

Acting Detective Inspector Sam Livesey said: “Operation Continuum is proven to be a highly successful initiative and is vital in suppressing the supply of drugs.

“Drugs are inextricably linked to a high proportion of violent criminality and we will therefore continue to target perpetrators, seeking to bring them to justice while working jointly with colleagues from across the Met and the Tower Hamlets Local Authority.

“Central East Police are fully aware of the impact on the community and the concern that drugs, ASB and associated criminality can have. This operation plays a part in a wider focus on working with our partners to tackling these issues within Tower Hamlets.

“Central East Police are committed to helping young people affected by violence and by association, drugs supply that is linked to violent crime. We will continue work with communities and partners from the borough along with those from across London, balancing the need for diversion and support with enforcement.”