Man sentenced for modern day slavery and class A drugs offences

A man has been sentenced for modern day slavery and class A drugs offences in High Wycombe. 

Arkan Omer, aged 24, of Empire Way, Wembley, Brent, was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment at Amersham Crown Court on 26 January. He was also given a 10-year slavery and trafficking prevention order. 

Omer pleaded guilty to two counts of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation, at the same hearing. 

On 28 January, Omer was further sentenced to three years and nine months in prison concurrently. He pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to two counts of possession with the intent to supply a class A controlled drug, namely heroin and crack cocaine, at the same court on 11 August last year.

On 4 June last year, officers were made aware of a drug deal in Desborough Recreational Park. Plain-clothed officers attended the area and arrested one 18-year-old man and two 16-year-old boys, all from High Wycombe, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. 

Following further intelligence received on 10 July, officers identified that the same drugs line was operating from the rear car park of the Wendover Arms Hotel.  

Plain-clothed officers were deployed to this area and located Omer, who was with the two boys that were arrested on 4 June. 

Officers detained Omer for a drugs search and found £900 in cash and a key card for a room within the hotel. A search of the room uncovered wraps of ‘crack’ cocaine and heroin concealed in the bathroom, along with further quantities of heroin and scales, found under the bed. 

Omer was arrested on the same day and charged the following day.  

Further enquiries established that Omer had been directing the two boys to run the ‘Power’ drugs line while he was out of the country.  

He also gave an ‘assistant’ the job of overseeing the day-to-day running of the drug line in his absence, which was Nicola Foreman. 

Foreman, aged 51, of Scores Lane, Caversham, was arrested on 26 July and charged on 10 October last year.

Foreman pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin, at Amersham Crown Court on 26 January this year.

Foreman was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for one year and six months. 

The arrested boys and man were released with no further action. 

Investigating officer, PC Peter Robinson, of the High Wycombe Proactive team, said: “This case involved juveniles being used to sell class A drugs on the streets of High Wycombe, with the victims being transported by Arkan Omer.

“During the investigation into Omer’s drug supply enterprise, it was identified that he was exploiting juveniles to deal drugs on his behalf, and had gone so far as to coach them on how to advertise a drugs line, and provided them with contact details of customers.  

“Thames Valley Police will pursue those engaging in such activity to the point of conviction, and ensure the safeguarding of victims, and further victims. 

“The victims in the case were lured in with promise of money and status. Instead, their childhood innocence has been stolen from them, their education hindered and unknown trauma inflicted. 

“Our message to drug dealers is clear, it is only a matter of time before you are arrested. 

“If you have any information about drug dealing, please contact the force by visiting a police station, leaving details via our website or calling 101.”