Six people have admitted to supplying a form of synthetic cannabinoid popular among homeless people in Westminster, and said to have withdrawal effects more severe than heroin and crack cocaine.
The five men and one woman all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply charges, relating to the drug known as "spice", during an appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (June 28).
They were arrested on Tuesday as part of the Operation Spatha crackdown - which is tackling drug dealers in the Charing Cross area.
They are:
- Anthony White, 37, of Plane Tree Walk, Gypsy Hill who pleaded guilty to seven counts of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug. He will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on July 3
- Ramzi Barkat, 44, of Third Avenue, Romford who pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug. He is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 26 for a Newton Hearing
- Keziah Watson, 19, of no fixed address, who pleaded guilty to nine counts of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug
- Patrick Etiele, 32, of no fixed address who pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug
- Miguel Chaves, 40, St Albans Road, Ilford who pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug
- Mark Akhimie, 48, of no fixed address, who pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply a Class B drug
Barkat and the remaining defendants will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on a date to be confirmed.
All six have all been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.
Operation Spatha has been running in Westminster to tackle the supply of the psychotic Class B drug since March 7.
It has been running alongside the ongoing Operation Kaskara - a multi-agency operation also aimed at tackling spice on the streets of Westminster.
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