Man Jailed for Exploiting Vulnerable People in County Lines Operation
A 24-year-old man, Victor Kihu, has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a county lines drug supply network that exploited vulnerable individuals to use homes in Aberdeen for drug distribution.
Kihu recruited people to facilitate the supply of Class A drugs from multiple properties through a practice known as cuckooing, where criminals take over the homes of vulnerable individuals to operate their activities.
He was part of an organised crime group named Harlem, which conducted operations across Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Inverness.
Kihu pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of drugs and received a prison sentence of six years and five months at the High Court in Glasgow.
Understanding County Lines and Cuckooing
County lines refers to organised criminal networks that transport illegal drugs between different regions of the UK. These operations often involve violence, exploitation, and coercion of vulnerable people to maintain their activities.
Originating from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, Kihu recruited young individuals, some of whom were reported missing, from deprived areas in England. These recruits were used to supply drugs from eight properties in Aberdeen between July 2022 and January 2023.
One victim reported that Kihu had threatened his life if he did not comply and had confiscated his phone to prevent contact with his family.
Investigation and Arrest
During the police investigation, it was discovered that the sale and supply of drugs were coordinated via multiple mobile phones, which were later identified as belonging to Kihu.
Kihu was apprehended on a bus in Perth. He had previously admitted his involvement in the operation at the High Court in Edinburgh the month prior to sentencing.
Prosecutor's Statement on the Impact of County Lines
Prosecutor Sineidin Corrins, representing the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), condemned the practice of cuckooing and highlighted its severe impact on vulnerable individuals.
"Seeking justice for people in our communities who are all too often coerced, groomed and threatened by county lines drug dealers is a priority for Scotland's prosecutors,"
"Victor Kihu deliberately targeted people who, under threats and intimidation, would carry out his coercive demands to let others use their homes for criminal conduct.
But he is now in prison having been brought to account for his crimes."
