18 Years in Jail for Shepherd's Bush Drug Dealer
Kehinde Mensah convicted of selling heroin and crack cocaine
Kehinde Mensah was caught after using Encrochat system
A 35-year-old man from Shepherd’s Bush has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of dealing in Class A drugs.
Kehinde Mensah, of an address off Greenside Road was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court this Friday (17 December) of conspiracy to supply heroin after the Met Police's Specialist Crime Unit's Operation Eternal linked him with the purchase and sale of a kilo of heroin.
In addition he was found guilty of possession of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine as well as illegally acquired cash.
He was caught after police managed to decode messages shared on the Encrochat system which was widely used by criminals in the belief that it could not be read by the authorities.
Mensah used the handle Bubatunde which police managed to link to his phone and home address.
On 28 January 2021, a warrant was executed at Mensah’s home and more than two kilograms of cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine, and almost £15,000 cash, was found.
Shortly before his trial, a man handed himself into police claiming that the drugs found at the property were his. Police investigations into this man's claims revealed a ‘crib sheet’ on his phone detailing what he should say to officers and further enquiries provided evidence to challenge his account. The jury later accepted that he had falsely claimed responsibility to alleviate the focus on Mensah.
Mensah pleaded not guilty to all charges and appeared at Isleworth Crown Court to stand trial where he was found guilty on Monday, 6 September.
Mensah being arrested after dawn raid at his home in Shepherd's Bush
Since launching in the summer of 2020, Operation Eternal has resulted in more than 600 arrests, 1156kg Class A drugs recovered and 75 convictions.
Detective Chief Inspector Driss Hayoukane, of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said, "Thanks to the thorough investigation by DC Anthony Dunne of the Op Eternal team, the evidence gathered against Mensah was overwhelming and the sentence he has been given reflects both the severity of his actions and his refusal to take responsibility.
“We know there is an inextricable link between drugs and violence in our communities. Our work to disrupt all routes of drug supply and prosecute those involved continues to be central to our work to tackle violence on London’s streets."
Drugs and cash found during Greenside Road raid
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December 22, 2021