An
armed drug-dealer has been locked-up for sixteen years and his
girlfriend for six years after gangbusting police stopped the pair at
gunpoint.
Titus
Baffoe, 26, and Gemma Irving, 20, of Hertford Road, Margate were
pulled over by armed Operation Trident officers - culminating an
inteligence-led operation.
Baffoe
was convicted of possessing a loaded firearm, with intent to endanger
life, possessing crack cocaine, with intent to supply and offering to
supply drugs.
Irving
was convicted of possessing a loaded firearm and possession of crack
cocaine.
Croydon
Crown Court heard that at 6.30pm on July 18 officers from Trident’s
South Proactive Team conducted a covert operation whereby armed
police stopped a Vauxhall Corsa driven by Baffoe, with Irving in the
front seat in Croydon Road, Anerley.
Prior
to the stop by police Baffoe and Irving had travelled from Margate to
South Norwood.
A
search of Irving’s bag revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson firearm
containing six rounds of ammunition together with gloves.
In
addition a significant quantity of crack cocaine was concealed within
her clothing.
Detective
Inspector Paul Dorey of the Trident Gang Crime Command said: "Today
saw the conviction of a dangerous criminal, intent on endangering
people's lives through the possession and no doubt use of this loaded
firearm that was primed ready to go.
“Titus
Baffoe used his previous knowledge of police investigative methods
and forensic techniques to evade capture.
“He
used a young woman in an attempt to distance himself from the gun and
drugs.
“However,
the professional and thorough investigation by the officer in the
case exposed his lies.
“Gemma
Irving, who was ninteen years-old at the time of arrest made a life
changing decision on the eighteenth of July to assist Baffoe in this
criminal act.
“These
convictions serve as a reminder to anybody involved in the possession
and use of firearms that officers from Trident Gang Crime Command
will continue to actively pursue and place them before the courts
even when operating outside of London.
“It
also provides a health warning and wake up call to young women who
agree to hold on to firearms and drugs on behalf of gang members."