Dedicated team secure conviction of drug dealer – and praise the victims for their bravery

An investigation by the force’s exploitation team has resulted in a man being jailed for 66 months for drugs and forced labour offences.

Donnell Magezi, 25, made threats of violence to the then-teenage victims, attempting to force them to sell class A drugs on his behalf in Leicestershire.

He was sentenced on Friday (6 March) at Leicester Crown Court following a trial in November last year, where he was found guilty of all counts, as well as one count of perverting the course of justice.

Magezi had travelled from London to set up the drugs line and looked to recruit local children to be part of the operation. The victims, who are now both adults, had previously been drawn into selling cannabis for the gang by a mutual school connection. However they were soon debt-bonded to the gang who then wanted them to sell class A drugs.

The threats began on the evening of 8 January 2022, when they were visited at their homes in the Charnwood area. They were forced into a car and told they were not able to leave until they agreed to do what they asked – sell class A drugs.

They were taken to their knees in a secluded area on the outskirts of Loughborough and threatened.

Threats were made to one of the victims that he and his family could be harmed before they were eventually taken home – and told not to tell their families or police what had happened.

However, the threats continued via phone calls the following day – with Magezi saying that other gang members from London were going to come to Leicestershire and hurt them and their families and demanding access to their homes.

Fearing for the safety of his family and himself, one of the victims told his parents what had happened and they subsequently called the police.

Magezi, of Almond Avenue, Ealing, was arrested on 9 January 2022 on suspicion of modern slavery offences and being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour one count of conspiracy to supply a class A drug – cocaine.

Magezi, who is originally from London and ran the ‘Adam Line’ between West London and Loughborough, was also found guilty of one count of perverting the court of justice.

Donnell Magezi

The charge related to an offence in December 2022, where he gained a false letter of employment from stating that he was required to work overnight. This was submitted to the court and there was a hearing for his bail conditions to be changed – which originally had an overnight curfew. Further enquiries found this offer of employment to be false.

Detective Constable Tara Mellowes, the officer in the case, said: “This type of offending – known as county lines – is the movement of drugs across the country and often brings drugs from bigger cities into the small urban areas via people such as Magezi. The county line looks to exploit younger, vulnerable people who can be controlled by fear and violence.

“The victims were extremely brave in speaking out firstly to their families and then to officers. They were clearly very scared about the consequences of not carrying out what was being asked of them.

“I want to commend them on their bravery in coming to police. It has been incredibly difficult for them but today’s outcome is a true testament their resilience and I know their driving factor was not only to seek justice for themselves but raise the profile of CCE and protect other children.

“They wanted to show that any child, regardless of their circumstances, can be a victim.

“We have a dedicated team who deal with these types of crime and who can help bring those responsible for it to justice. Please, if you are a victim – or know someone who is – please, report it to us. We can help.”

Inspector Charlotte Dickens, commander for the Charnwood Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA), added: “Tackling child criminal exploitation (CCE) and disrupting county lines activity remains a priority for the local team and I’d ask anyone who believes someone they know to be a victim to get in touch.

“We are continuing to raise awareness of CCE through our Are You Listening? campaign, where parents, guardians and those working with young people can find out more information about spotting the signs and what help is available.”