13th September, 2024
Two crack cocaine and heroin dealers have been sentenced to a combined nine years in prison for exploiting a vulnerable 15-year-old boy to distribute drugs, following a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and Cambridgeshire Police.
The sentences reflect the Met’s ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable children from criminal exploitation and strengthen trust within communities across London.
On Monday, 15 July 2024, David Rosa, 21, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four years and two months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court. Rosa had previously pleaded guilty to involvement in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, as well as human trafficking.
His co-defendant, 29-year-old Lamar Griffiths of Elizabeth Way, Harlow, was sentenced on Thursday, 12 September 2024, to four years and 11 months at the same court after pleading guilty to his role in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.
The arrests stem from an investigation launched after officers from the Met and Cambridgeshire Police found a missing 15-year-old boy in Peterborough on Wednesday, 7 August 2023.
The child had been staying at the home of a local drug user, sparking immediate concern for his welfare.
Through analysis of the boy’s phone data, investigators uncovered the roles Rosa and Griffiths played in exploiting the child to distribute Class A drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin.
Griffiths was arrested on Wednesday, 9 August 2023, at an address in Newmarket, Cambridge, where he attempted to discard drugs and his phone out of a bedroom window. Rosa was apprehended later that day on a train from Peterborough and was arrested at Cambridge station.
Despite the gravity of the case, the 15-year-old boy did not testify and was not charged with any crime. He was instead referred to safeguarding services for protection.
Police Constable Jack Hardwick, who led the investigation, praised the swift and thorough work of both police forces.
He said, “Rescuing this vulnerable boy from the cruel hands of exploitative drug dealers was our top priority. Great credit is owed to the officers within the Met and Cambridgeshire Police whose dedicated, careful work led to Griffiths and Rosa’s arrests. It sends a message to drug gangs who exploit vulnerable children – we will catch you and bring you to justice.”
The investigation was carried out by officers from Operation Orochi, a specialist team within the Met dedicated to tackling high-harm offenders involved in county lines drug supply. The unit works closely with police forces across the country to dismantle drug networks operating out of London.
