Jail for rapper who trafficked child to sell drugs and bragged about it in music video

A rapper has been jailed after forcing a teenage boy that he'd trafficked to live in squalor, without being able to wash or eat.

Drill artist Xavion Benson trafficked the boy from London to Clacton in Essex in order for him to sell drugs on his behalf and even bragged about it in one of his music videos.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that the child was left in 'awful conditions' without anywhere to wash or brush his teeth or able to eat and drink regularly.

Benson, who released music under the name Pushweight Bandit, ran drug lines that were operating between London and Clacton between November 2021 and March 2022, supplying Class A drugs to users in the Clacton area.

He promised the boy £2,800 in payment for his “work”, though that money was never paid.

An investigation was first launched by Metropolitan Police when the teenager was reported missing by his parents.Police were able to connect the boy's phone with the numbers being used to run Peter and Zak drug lines, which were active in Clacton and already under investigation at that time.

They established who held the drug lines and Benson was arrested in March last year on suspicion of being concerned with supplying Class A drugs.The team found the music video that featured Benson bragging and sending a “young boy” out to sell drugs.

A second man, Ryan Arrowsmith, was also identified as being involved in the drug lines, as he was responsible for sending out bulk marketing messages and advertising “fat deals 2 for 15 3 for 25 freebies for numbers”.

He was arrested in March at his London home and officers caught him trying to flush drugs down the toilet, in an attempt to destroy evidence.

In total, more than £2,000 worth of drugs were seized.Benson was later charged with being concerned with the supply of Class A drugs and human trafficking.

His conviction, under the Modern Slavery Act, is the first of its kind in Essex.Arrowsmith was charged with being concerned with the supply of heroin, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply a Class A drug.

Both men admitted the offences.

Benson was given a 67-month prison sentence and a slavery and trafficking prevention order was also imposed for seven years, which prevents him from arranging travel for anyone other than himself or a family member.

Arrowsmith was sentenced to four years and three months in jail in November 2022 and was additionally given a criminal behaviour order (CBO) to last for seven years.

Detective Inspector James Healy, of the serious violence unit, said: "County lines gangs not only target vulnerable people in our communities, but they also target and groom vulnerable children to carry out their work."This is trafficking and exploitation; nothing less. "It is a disgusting crime, and we were determined to pursue a conviction under the Modern Slavery Act given the impact Benson’s actions have had on both the young boy and his family."This is the first conviction of its type in Essex, and I am extremely proud of the team for the tireless work they have put into identifying the people responsible, arresting them and putting them before the court. "It is also a testament to the officer in this case that she was not content with the drugs conviction for Benson."She identified the further harm his actions caused to the boy and his family and relentlessly pursued a modern slavery conviction.

"Both Benson and Arrowsmith were responsible for the supply of Class A drugs on our streets."It is common for more established gang members to offer acts of kindness to children to win them over. "They are promised a life of money and designer clothes but they are being duped. "Very sadly these children soon find out the reality is nothing like the promise. Instead, they often go missing for long periods of time, creating terror for their parents who have no idea where they are."The children will stay in squalor conditions with little or no food and drink as they work to earn money for the gang elders."

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