East London drug dealer who bragged about being ‘like Pablo Escobar’ busted

A prolific drug gang leader who compared himself to notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar has been arrested.

Shahen Ahmed was snared by detectives who found he was involved in three sophisticated Class A narcotic lines.

It was running under the banner of ‘Killah’ from December 2021 to June 2022.

Cops found a video of him bragging about his criminal activity, referring to himself as ‘Pablo’ and running the streets.

The 34-year-old was targeted by officers working under Operation Yamata.

It focuses on dismantling drug supply networks across the capital and pursuing those operating them.

On June 28, 2022, officers executed a warrant at Ahmed’s address on Stevedore Street, Wapping, east London and another address linked to him.

They found a large quantity of Class A drugs and more than £60,000 in cash.

Ahmed was arrested and taken into custody before later being charged.

The dealer appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 13 where he was jailed for nine-and-a-half years for being involved in the supply of Class A drugs.

Det Insp Sam Bennett, from Op Yamata, said: ‘My team seized a number of devices from Ahmed. On examination my officers found a video of Ahmed proudly bragging to an unknown passenger about his criminal activity, referring to himself as ‘Pablo’ and running the streets.

‘Drugs are inextricably linked to violence and misery on our streets. They blight communities and ruin lives.

‘To see Ahmed talk so casually and proudly about his involvement is a concern but it also motivates us and makes us even more determined to bring people like him to justice.

‘Thanks to my officers and their hard work and diligence, Ahmed now has even more in common with his famed idol – a significant jail sentence.’

Officers found Ahmed concealed more than £600,000 of illicit cash through his business accounts.

Detectives from the Met’s Economic Crime Unit are now working to retrieve this under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

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