Current timestamp: 28/05/2022 05:43:00
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

essex-logo-217

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
    • Road traffic incident
    • Antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • How to tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
    • Possible breach of coronavirus (Covid-19) measures
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Register as an overseas visitor
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Basildon: Drill music artist jailed in drug investigation

Main article content

Navigation

Brought to justice
News

11:15 25/01/2022

AJEWOLE 600.jpg

Specialist Op Raptor drug officers have secured more than five years in jail for a drill artist who used his music to brag about drug dealing in Basildon.

Olusogo Ajewole, who performed under the name B-Levelz, ran the H line, which sold crack cocaine and heroin in the Basildon area.

In his music videos, Ajewole wears a mask or balaclava and boasts about making large sums of money by getting “youngers” [young people] to sell drugs for him.

20220125 Ajewole video 5.JPG

His songs also express fears of being followed by the police while the lyrics also state: “Raptor’s got me on edge.”

A number of his music videos were used in evidence which was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Officers from Op Raptor carried out a five-month investigation into the drugs line, resulting in warrants being executed at a number of addresses in Basildon, Vange and Purfleet, in December 2020.

20220125 Ajewole video 4.JPG

These included his recording studio in Vange Park Road and his home in Caspian Way, Purfleet.

When officers forced entry to the 33-year-old’s home, they found him in the living room. Digital scales and crack cocaine, which was being prepared for sale, were on the sofa, where he had been sitting.

The drugs had a street value of about £5,600 and a tub of coins containing about £3,000.

We also found a mask used by Ajewole in his music videos. 

20220125 AJEWOLE mask.jpg

Such was the evidence against Ajewole, he had no option but to admit conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on 1 April, 2021.

He was sentenced to five years and eight months in jail on Friday, 21 January.

IMG_0768.JPG

His associate Shane Butcher, 20, of Chevers Pawen, in Basildon, was convicted after trial of two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years.

Scott McCormack, 24, was also arrested in connection with the investigation and admitted conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. He is yet to be sentenced.

Detective Inspector Scott Fitzmaurice, of Op Raptor South, said:

“Ajewole was literally caught in the act and the evidence we had compiled against him over the course of five months of investigation meant he had no opportunity but to plead guilty.
“He ran the H line, with Butcher and McCormack as his trusted associates, and employed runners to sell the drugs to customers.
“Ajewole glorified the lifestyle of a drug dealer in his music videos, bragging about selling drugs and making money, and using young boys to sell drugs.
“But the truth is there is nothing glamorous about drug dealing and what he describes in those videos is exploitation of children, needless violence, and the selfish pursuit of making money off the back of other people’s misery.”

Ajewole was among the first to be investigated by the Essex Police Serious Violence Unit, when it was created in July 2020. It has a focus on collating strong evidence on individuals who officers believe are causing the highest harm in our communities.

Often, when suspects are arrested, they have no option but admit their guilt in court because of the weight of evidence against them.

Share

Related links

  • Tackling serious violence in Essex

Other news this month

  • Tilbury: Brothers jailed for serious assault
  • Chelmsford: Man jailed for 3 years for PWITS
  • Chelmsford: Man jailed over indecent images
  • Benfleet: Men sentenced over kidnap and robbery of dad
  • WITHAM: Rapist jailed thanks to specialist officers
  • Southend: Footage released of drug dealer arrest
  • Harlow: Bus driver sentenced for death of John Childs
  • Brentwood: Man jailed after High Street disturbance

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Essex Police

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Careers
  • News
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.