A Southall man has been jailed for exploiting two vulnerable teenagers who went missing to assist him in selling drugs in Derby.

Hussein Abdulkadir pleaded guilty to two charges of being involved in the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine in August and September 2022.

The 23-year-old man from Southall used his mobile phones to communicate with two boys, aged 14 and 15, to distribute drugs and collect payments in Derby.

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The two teenagers were apprehended in Normanton while carrying a significant amount of cash, Class A drugs, a machete, and a knuckle duster by police investigating a report of a missing boy.

Analysis of the boys' mobile phones revealed connections to Abdulkadir. Derbyshire officers, working together with the Metropolitan Police, conducted a search of his flat on Lady Margaret Road in Southall.

The court was informed that Abdulkadir was operating a drug distribution operation, known as the "Max line," in which he used the two missing teenagers to sell heroin and crack cocaine that he brought from London to Derby and Leicester.

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At the time of his arrest, Abdulkadir was on parole for a 2020 conviction, for which he received a 45-month jail sentence for a similar offence in Surrey. He was sent back to prison.

Abdulkadir was sentenced to six years and seven months for his crimes in Derby, following a court hearing on Monday 23 January 223 Derby Crown Court.

Temporary Detective Inspector Kane Martin, of the Child Exploitation team, said: "The exploitation of children and young people is often a common feature in the way in which county lines gangs operate, and while the focus is often on our arrests and drug seizures a big part of our work is protecting those who are vulnerable."

"We welcome this result which means Abdulkadir is now off the streets and facing the consequences of his actions."

"Our work targeting County Lines dealers not only allows us to get illegal drugs off our streets and ensure offenders are brought to justice, but also allows us to safeguard those children or vulnerable people who are used for the gain of criminal gangs."

"We will continue to target this type of illegal activity across Derbyshire, with the aim of keeping drugs off our streets and our communities protected from the harm it can cause."

Custody image of Hussain Abdulkadir: Derby Constabulary