London drill rapper Xavion Benson has been sentenced to five years and seven months in prison after being convicted for trafficking a teenage boy and operating the notorious Peter and Zak drug lines between London and Clacton, Essex.
Between November 2021 and March 2022, Benson’s drug operation supplied Class A drugs to the Essex seaside town, exploiting vulnerable users and a teenage boy who was trafficked to sell drugs on their behalf.
In January 2022, Benson trafficked a teenage boy from London to Clacton, forcing him to sell drugs. The boy was kept in filthy conditions for nearly two weeks, unable to wash, eat properly, or care for himself, resulting in significant weight loss. Although Benson promised the boy £2,800 for his “work,” he never received any payment.
The boy’s parents reported him missing to the Metropolitan Police, triggering an investigation. Officers working on Operation Raptor linked the teenager’s phone to the drug lines already under surveillance, uncovering evidence of trafficking and child exploitation.
The Metropolitan Police’s Operation Orochi identified Benson as the leader of the drug lines. A music video released under his stage name, ‘Pushweight Bandit,’ showed him boasting about sending a “young boy” out to sell drugs, which was used as evidence in court.
Ryan Arrowsmith, 32, was also arrested for his involvement in the drug operation. He sent bulk text messages advertising drug deals and attempted to flush drugs down the toilet during a home search in Sidcup. Police seized over £2,000 worth of Class A drugs linked to him.
Benson, aged 22, pleaded guilty to human trafficking and supply of Class A drugs. He was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison. Additionally, a slavery and trafficking prevention order has been imposed, barring him from arranging travel for anyone except himself or family members for seven years.
Arrowsmith received a sentence of four years and three months in prison and was given a seven-year criminal behaviour order.
Detective Inspector James Healy said: “County lines gangs target vulnerable children and communities. This is trafficking and exploitation—a disgusting crime. We were determined to secure a conviction under the Modern Slavery Act because of the severe impact on the victim and his family.”
He added, “This is Essex’s first conviction of its kind, thanks to the tireless work of officers who tracked down and arrested those responsible.”
PC Harlie Turner, who led the investigation, commented: “These gangs lure children with promises of money and designer clothes, but kids quickly learn the grim reality—going missing, living in squalor, and working for drug gangs.”
She continued, “We’re proud we could rescue this boy and give him and his family a chance to escape the gang lifestyle.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
