A Leicester man has been sentenced to 5½ years in prison for forcing teenagers to sell dangerous drugs. Donnell Magezi, aged 25, used threats and intimidation to compel his victims to distribute class A substances throughout Leicestershire.
Originally from London, Magezi travelled to Leicestershire to establish what police have named the ‘Adam Line’, a drug network operating between West London and Loughborough. He targeted local teenagers, many of whom were already involved in cannabis sales, to join his more severe class A drug trafficking ring.
On 8 January 2022, Magezi’s gang kidnapped several teenagers in Charnwood, forcing them into a car and threatening them while they were made to kneel in isolation on the outskirts of Loughborough. One victim was explicitly warned that harm could come to his family if he disobeyed orders. The teenagers were coerced into selling cocaine and other class A drugs under duress.
Threats continued via telephone calls, with promises that gangs from London would come to Leicestershire to harm the victims and their families.
Concerned for their safety, one victim confided in his parents, who promptly alerted the police. Magezi was arrested on 9 January 2022 and charged with forced labour, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and perverting the course of justice. The last charge related to Magezi’s attempt to falsify a work letter in an effort to ease his bail conditions, a deception uncovered by investigators.
On Friday 6 March, Magezi was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court after being found guilty on all counts during a trial held in November.
Leicestershire Police’s exploitation team commended the bravery of the victims and pledged to continue efforts to dismantle drug gangs exploiting young people in the region.
Originally published by UKNIP.
