Man jailed for using teenagers to transport drugs

Lakan Illsley pleaded guilty to modern day slavery and supply of Class A drugs

A man who used teenagers to transport drugs on the rail network has been jailed for 10 years, following a county lines investigation.

Lakan Illsley, 28, of Beresford Close, Burton-on-Trent, pleaded guilty on 10 March to two counts of modern day slavery and two counts of supplying Class A drugs.

He was sentenced to seven years and six months at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday.

He was also sentenced to two years and six months for a separate count of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, which he must serve consecutively.

British Transport Police said officers noticed two vulnerable 16-year-old boys at Blackpool station on 13 December 2023.

They found one in possession of 50 wraps of cocaine, 39 wraps of heroin, a burner phone and £300 in cash, and the other was carrying a knife.

Both boys told officers they were more than 130 miles from home.

Subsequent questioning revealed they were being exploited and controlled to deal drugs for Illsley who was behind the operation, police said.

They added the were returned home and Illsley was identified through phone messages and arrested.

"Illsley is a nasty individual, who, despite being a father himself, coerced and exploited children into travelling miles from home to sell drugs," Det Supt Craig Payne said.

"We take a zero tolerance stance against anyone who profits from the exploitation of children.

"Just like with Illsley, we will relentlessly pursue those who target the vulnerable and safeguard their victims."