Pubdate: Fri, 08 Aug 2014
Source: Evening Standard (London, UK)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.standard.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/914
Author: Justin Davenport

DRUG-RUNNING TEENAGE BOYS FREED DESPITE CARRYING CRACK

Brothers aged 14 and 15 walked free from court despite being found
with crack cocaine while dealing for a notorious "Wire-style" gang in
London.

The younger boy had 21 wraps of crack on him and his brother spat four
wraps of crack from his mouth in a sale to an undercover officer. They
were arrested in an operation targeting a gang engaged in "prolific
drug dealing".

Police say the group -- the Church Town Militants -- terrorised the
Churchill Gardens Estate and surrounding areas in Pimlico for several
years.

The younger boy was described as a "runner" for a senior gang member.
In scenes reminiscent of the US TV series The Wire, senior gang
members took orders on disposable mobile phones while the runners
delivered drugs.

During a police raid on the gang in May packets of drugs and money
were hurled from windows as the suspects dumped incriminating
evidence, Southwark crown court heard.

In total 24 people, 14 of them teenagers, have pleaded guilty to
supplying drugs, including cannabis, heroin, crack cocaine and ecstasy.

The brothers were sentenced to two-year youth rehabilitation orders
and a six-month 7am-to-7pm curfew and banned from living in the area.
Older members of the gang were jailed for up to 14 months during two
days of sentencing which continues today.
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