A county lines drug dealer who controlled the ‘Ace’ and ‘Max’ drug networks between London and Southend has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison, following a police operation that dismantled the criminal enterprise.
Operation Raptor, Essex Police’s specialist team tackling county lines drug gangs, launched an investigation into the ‘Ace’ and ‘Max’ drug lines, which were active between August and November 2023.
Officers identified 26-year-old Enoch Odubanjo, of Egmont Street, London, as the mastermind behind the operation, which saw crack cocaine and heroin supplied to users in Southend.
Repeat offender with a history of drug dealing
This was not the first time Odubanjo had been caught running a county lines drug operation. Previously, he was convicted for running the ‘Fiver’ line, a drug network supplying crack cocaine and heroin in the Chatham area.
In December 2019, Odubanjo was arrested in Chatham after being chased by police. He provided officers with a false name and was found carrying £405 in cash and eight wraps of heroin. Further investigations linked him to a county lines phone number that had sent out thousands of messages advertising drugs for sale.
Despite denying involvement and attempting to mislead police, he was eventually convicted at Maidstone Crown Court in June 2021 of two counts of offering to supply Class A drugs. He was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to wear an electronic tag for six months.
Detective Constable John Davis, the investigating officer from the South East Basic Command Unit commented on his previous conviction: “He tried his best to evade capture, providing false names and denying ownership of mobile phones, but it was not enough to fool us. Our enquiries showed he sent thousands of text messages to drug users over the course of six months and supplied them with a huge quantity of class A drugs.”
Criminal network exposed
Despite his prior conviction, Odubanjo returned to drug dealing, this time orchestrating the ‘Ace’ and ‘Max’ drug lines. Detectives uncovered evidence that he was controlling operations from London, using vehicles registered or leased in his name to transport both drugs and couriers. He was also found to have exploited vulnerable individuals, pressuring them into delivering drugs on his behalf.
One of those recruited was 43-year-old Leanne Callaghan, of Catford, London, who was caught on CCTV in October 2023 engaging in a drug deal in Southend. Shortly before the transaction, the ‘Max’ line had sent a bulk advertising message to nearly 100 drug users, promoting crack cocaine and heroin for sale.
Both Odubanjo and Callaghan were arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. They later appeared at Basildon Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday, 14 January.
Dealer’s ambitions crushed
Callaghan admitted her involvement in running drugs on three separate occasions. The court heard she was struggling with Class A drug addiction, had serious health conditions, and was coerced into taking part in the operation. As a result, she was sentenced to 21 months in prison, suspended for 21 months, with a rehabilitation activity requirement attached.
Odubanjo, however, denied the charges but was convicted after trial. The court was told that he had ambitions of making substantial profits from drug dealing and had even planned to rent a flat for £2,000 per month. However, this never materialised, and he continued living with his mother before his arrest. He was sentenced to seven years and six months behind bars.
Police send strong warning
Temporary Detective Inspector Rob Maile, from Operation Raptor South, highlighted the reality of drug dealing, warning that the lifestyle is neither glamorous nor lucrative: “The judge in this case commented that the rewards for Odubanjo were perhaps not as high as he had hoped,” said Detective Inspector Maile. “Far from making a profit, he will now spend a number of years behind bars.”
He continued: “Dealing drugs is a dangerous and risky business which attracts a significant prison sentence. We take a tough stance on drug supply because of the wider harm this trade causes. In Essex, we know that drug-related activity fuels the majority of serious violence we see.”
Detective Inspector Maile also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious drug activity. “Even if you don’t see an immediate response, your reports are helping us build solid cases against drug dealers like Odubanjo,” he added.
The sentencing marks another significant victory in the fight against county lines drug networks in Essex, as police continue to crack down on those who seek to exploit vulnerable people for criminal gain.