Two men have been jailed for modern day slavery offences after they trafficked vulnerable teenage boys to Norfolk to sell drugs.
The pair, Kingsley Annor, 26, and Trevor Kutsirayi, 23, forced the youths to operate a so-called county lines operation, bringing crack cocaine and heroin from London to Norwich by train.
They were caught after the two teenagers, who had been reported missing, were found at a property just off the city's Newmarket Road, sparking a police investigation.
A third man, Saul Simpson, 52, was given a suspended sentence for his role in the operation.
It was in Simpson's flat, on Eagle Street near the Eagle pub, where the two missing teenagers were found, in December 2021.
Fifty seven wraps of crack and 34 of heroin were also discovered there, as well as cash, phones and a London to Norwich train ticket for an under 16.
An analysis of the phones, along with CCTV footage, helped police establish that the boys had travelled through the capital earlier that month.
During that time Annor, 26, of Philpot Street in the Whitechapel area of London, called them four times from the area of his home, before meeting the pair at Stratford station, in the east of the capital.
There he handed over drugs for them to bring to Norfolk to sell.
Arrangements were then made by Kutsirayi, of Association Way in Norwich, and Simpson for the boys to go to Simpson’s home, which would be used as a base for the boys for the onward sale of the drugs.
On Friday, Annor was sentenced to four years and six months in prison at Norwich Crown Court after admitting two counts of human trafficking, one count of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and one count of being concerned in the supply of heroin.
Kutsirayi was sentenced to two years and eight months after pleading guilty to two counts of human trafficking.
Simpson was given a 21-month sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to two counts of human trafficking, one count of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and one count of being concerned in the supply of heroin at an earlier hearing.
Annor, Kutsirayi and Simpson were all charged under the Modern Slavery Act, with Annor and Kutsirayi receiving a Slavery Trafficking Prevention Order (STPO) for five years.
These are civil orders which enable courts to restrict the activities of individuals believed to be at risk of modern slavery offending.
The two teenagers faced no further action.
PC Rob Wells said: “Norfolk Constabulary takes a zero-tolerance approach towards drug supply and is committed to tackling the whole chain to keep our communities safe.
“This case shows how our officers don’t just stop after arresting those involved in dealing, but evidence a full supply chain to detain those who exploit others for the purposes of drug dealing.”
Several county lines drugs operations have taken hold in Norfolk in recent years, a number of which have been disrupted or dismantled by police.
They involve gangs from big cities like London establishing networks to distribute drugs in regional towns and cities.
The lines have been blamed for bringing high levels of violent crime and antisocial behaviour with them, as gangs try to edge out rivals and prey on communities.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here