Drug gang members jailed for 61 years

The three men were part of organised crime group "Chyna Crew" Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police

Three men who came to Exeter to sell class A drugs have been sentenced to a total of 61 years in prison for kidnap, rape of a woman, false imprisonment and the stabbing of a man.

  • Abdirahman Abukar, aged 19, of Alum Rock Road, Birmingham, was sentenced to 23 years.

  • Abdirahman Kadir, 21, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 23 years.

  • Ibrahim Mohammed, 18, was sentenced to 15 years.

The men, who were part of an organised crime group who called themselves ‘Chyna Crew’, were found guilty for the stabbing of Joseph Kelly, who they believed to be a rival drug dealer. The stabbing took place on York Road, Exeter, on 23rd February 2017.

Both Abukar and Kadir were also found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The court also heard how a woman in her 20s who went to a house on Sandford Walk was threatened at knifepoint and sexually assaulted. She was later taken to Ashmore Court on Haven Road, where she was sexually assaulted again.

She managed to escape by telling the men that she was going to a shop and then raised the alarm.

Detective Inspector Tanya Youngs said:“We welcome the guilty verdict by the jury in this serious and unusual case and thank the victims and witnesses who supported this prosecution and who showed courage and resilience in the process.

“The three main offenders, Kadir, Abukar and Ibrahim were part of an organised crime group who came to Exeter to supply class A drugs. In January 2017, having fallen out with a rival gang, two of the offenders, Kadir and Abukar, discharged a firearm into the front door of a flat in the city. On that occasion thankfully no one was harmed.

“On the evening of the 23rd of February 2017 all three males abducted a vulnerable female and subjected her to a horrendous ordeal where she was both physically and sexually abused over a number of hours. The same evening the three offenders with the assistance of the fourth defendant, Amber OLIVIA attacked and stabbed a male on YORK ROAD causing serious injury. This attack was linked to the supply of drugs.

“This was an intensive and fast moving investigation that led officers to Wales where three of the four offenders were arrested and I would like to thank the team who have worked tirelessly gathering evidence as well as supporting and safeguarding those affected.

“I would also like to reassure the public that violent gang related behaviour and the use of firearms remains extremely rare in Exeter and Devon and Cornwall as a whole. However as a force we are trained and equipped to deal with incidents of this nature if they arise and as in this case will work very hard to ensure justice is served and the public are kept safe.”