England: Drug dealer becomes first person to be jailed under new slavery laws

Zakaria Mohammed, 21, a drug dealer, was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court for his drug operation which he ran between Birmingham and Lincolnshire.

He admitted that he had used three children aged 14 and 15 to deal crack cocaine as well as heroin. He transported them, along with the money and drugs, and maintained contact between customers and suppliers.

Jason Corden-Bowen, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “County lines drug rings destroy lives by expanding their dealing operations into new areas, targeting the vulnerable and entrapping new addicts.

“Zakaria Mohammed exploited three children by taking them away from their home city to live in a flat which was in a poor and dangerous condition.

“He initially denied his involvement but in the face of the evidence compiled by the CPS and police, including text messages from several mobile phones, he ultimately pleaded guilty and will now have to face the consequences.”