Gang Ringleader Imprisoned for 10 Years

---

Operation uncovered West London drugs network

The ringleader of a criminal gang who ran a network supplying millions of pounds worth of drugs across west London has been stopped in his tracks following an intelligence led operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Territorial Support Group (TSG).

Sheldon Pommell, 25, of Ferguson Drive, Acton, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Kingston Crown Court on 14th October, after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

This follows an investigation launched in February 2008, codenamed Operation Independence, which uncovered a network of drug dealers operating in West London through a mobile phone system. Drug users would call a dedicated mobile number to order supplies. They would then be directed to different locations, primarily in Ealing, Hounslow and Brentford, to meet a local dealer.

The man at the centre of the network was Pommell, who controlled the dedicated mobile phone and directed the drug dealers. Drugs were sold for between £10 and £400. Police estimate the gang made between £1 - 1.5 million a year.

Another principal player in his gang, Hammersmith man Patrick McInerney, was arrested on 23 April 2008. McInerney was responsible for answering the dedicated phone number on behalf of Pommell.

Further arrests were made in the following days. Despite this, Pommell quickly set up a new network to continue the dealing. Records show that the dedicated mobile number received over 21,000 calls between 29 February and 2 May 2008.

Pommell was arrested on 23 October 2008 and charged the following day with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Other members of his gang are currently serving a total sentence of 50 years imprisonment after they all pleaded guilty earlier this year:

Patrick McInerney, 23 and unemployed, of Richford Street, Hammersmith, was sentenced to 5 years and 5 months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Ajmal Shah, 51, unemployed, of Sonia Gardens, Heston, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Clinton Noel, 27, a labourer, of Shackleton Road, Southall, was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Barry Thorpe, 30, unemployed, of Cherry Crescent, Brentford, was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Damanjit Sandhu, 31 and unemployed, of Lawson Road, Southall, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class 'A' drugs. He was sentenced to 4 and 3 and a half years imprisonment to run concurrent.

James Parsons, 27 and unemployed, of Chandos Road, Acton, was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Lee Reader, 21 and unemployed, of Townholm Crescent, Hanwell, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Sukjhinder Kundhi, 27 (29.8.82), unemployed, of Alliance Close, Hounslow, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment for supply of class A drugs.

Gavin Blaize, 20 and unemployed, of Braund Avenue, Greenford, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Alex Reddy, 23-year-old postman, of South Street, Isleworth, was sentenced to 2 years 9 months imprisonment for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Simon Siboniyo, 18  and a student, of Latimer Road, Westminster, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months at a Youth Offenders Institute for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Ibrahim Diallo, 20, also a student, of Clifton Road, Isleworth, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months at a Youth Offenders Institute for supplying class A drugs.

Mohammed Habib, 42, unemployed, of Corporation Road, Hounslow, was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for supplying class A drugs.

Inspector David Atraghji from the TSG said: "This is an excellent result for what has been a complex investigation requiring months of hard work and dedication by my officers.

"Pommell ran a lucrative and highly organised criminal network - the scale of which can be demonstrated by the thousands of calls the mobile received in just two months.

"I am pleased that this investigation has stopped a significant amount of drugs from being supplied in west London.

"The TSG regularly carry out such investigations and we will continue to work with our partners to disrupt these networks and the flow of damaging drugs onto our streets."

October 15, 2009