Moment east London drug dealer boasts of being 'like Pablo Escobar', as he is jailed for nearly ten years

1 October 2024, 13:59 | Updated: 1 October 2024, 14:00

Moment drug dealer compares himself to Pablo Escobar

By Kit Heren

An east London drug dealer who boasted of being like Pablo Escobar and "running the streets" has been jailed for nearly ten years.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Shahen Ahmed, 34, was sent to prison for nine and a half years earlier this month at Snaresbrook Crown Court for dealing heroin and crack cocaine.

Ahmed, of Stevedore Street in Wapping, ran a drug dealing network called 'Killah' from December 2021-June 2022.

After police worked out that he was involved, they raided his home in June 2022 and found a large amount of both heroin and crack, as well as £60,000 in cash.

He was arrested, charged and remanded in custody before being jailed on September 13.

Read more: Farmer’s wife added to ‘most wanted’ list for drug dealing offences finally behind bars after 16 months on the run

Read more: Drug dealer arrested at airport after jetting off on four luxury holidays in four months

Shahen Ahmed has been jailed
Shahen Ahmed has been jailed. Picture: Met Police

Officers released a video of Ahmed boasting in the car to a passenger that he controlled the streets, and said that he was like 'Pablo', a reference to notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Mug shot of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, taken in Medellin in 1976
Mug shot of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, taken in Medellin in 1976. Picture: Alamy

Police also said that Ahmed had hidden £600,000 of ill-gotten cash, which police are working to get hold of.

Drugs seized from Ahmed
Drugs seized from Ahmed. Picture: Met Police

Detective Inspector Sam Bennett said after Ahmed was jailed: "My team seized a number of devices from Ahmed. On examination my officers found a video of Ahmed proudly bragging to an unknown passenger about his criminal activity, referring to himself as 'Pablo' and running the streets.

"Drugs are inextricably linked to violence and misery on our streets. They blight communities and ruin lives. To see Ahmed talk so casually and proudly about his involvement is a concern but it also motivates us and makes us even more determined to bring people like him to justice.

Cash seized from Ahmed
Cash seized from Ahmed. Picture: Met Police

“Thanks to my officers and their hard work and diligence, Ahmed now has even more in common with his famed idol – a significant jail sentence.”

The investigation of Ahmed was carried out by detectives as part of Operation Yamata, a police initiative to dismantle complex drugs supply lines in London.

Drug baron Escobar controlled much of the flow of cocaine into the US in the 1980s and 1990s, gaining a fortune of around £22.5 billion before he was killed by police in 1993 aged 44.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump signs an executive order imposing tariffs on imported goods

'Liberation Day' explained: What are Trump's tariffs and how will they impact the UK?

The blurry thieves stole £3,000 worth of cigarettes and vapes.

Police release CCTV after thieves steal £3,000 of vapes - but images leave the public calling for 'the ghostbusters'

Julie Goodyear

Julie Goodyear's husband shares rare photo of Coronation Street star two years on from dementia diagnosis

: An aerial view shows the scorched graveyard around a church following a large blaze the previous day, on July 20, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London

Londoners urged not to have barbecues this weekend amid soaring temperatures 'because of wildfire risk'

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' as Apprentice star teases potential US Presidential meeting

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' and warns that the president 'hasn't thought it through'

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Husband left 'utterly bereft' after Brit mum and two daughters killed in New York car crash

The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2: Exciting reveal, but why is it more expensive here?

BRITAIN-FUNERAL-POLICE

Funeral director charged with 64 offences including fraud, theft and preventing 30 lawful burials

swallow-tail

Brits urged to 'stop mowing lawns' amid 'national butterfly crisis' with more than half of species in decline

Kyle Kitchen, 38, murdered eight-week-old Primose Kane

Dad who murdered daughter by violently shaking her as baby is jailed for life

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza

Israel expands ground attack on Gaza to seize 'large areas' - despite pleas from hostage families

Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, tried to kill his estranged wife

Old Etonian who tried to murder his estranged partner by throwing her down a 240ft well is jailed for 24 years

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reportedly down at the water when she was 'swept away'

Pictured: Missing 11-year-old 'swept away' while paddling in the River Thames

Hot cross buns could be scarce this Easter as farmers continue to protest against Rachel Reeves' 'tractor tax'.

Hot cross bun shortage looms as farmers escalate 'tractor tax' protests

Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was shot

Teenage girl shot dead during gang 'ride-out' following social media humiliation

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Brit mum and daughters, eight and five, killed in crash by driver who said 'I have the devil in me'