DRUG DEALER EVICTED FROM COUNCIL HOME

A drug dealer who took over a vulnerable neighbour's home to do
business, has been evicted from his Haringey council home after Homes
for Haringey and the council's Anti-social Behaviour Action Team (ASBAT)
took action.

In December 2010 Akumiah was arrested on suspicion of possession with
intent to supply Class A drugs following a stop and search carried out
by police patrolling in the Bounds Green area. The officers found a
large wrap of crack cocaine in a newspaper he had been carrying. He was
convicted of the offence in April 2011 and is serving a two year
custodial sentence.

Archibald Akumiah, of Newbury House Partridge Way N22, had been the
subject of many complaints to the council's ASBAT, he used to have
streams of visitors to his property causing excessive noise and
nuisance.

The visitors would scream and shout, block the communal hallways and
park mopeds on the footpaths, blocking access. To hide his drug dealing
activities, Akumiah took advantage of a vulnerable neighbour and took
over their flat to conduct his dealing.

While the ASBAT investigated complaints, Akumiah was sentenced to 2
years in prison but remained the tenant of the council home.

Using hearsay evidence where witnesses can provide statements to the
court without being identified, the Council secured an eviction
warrant on September 8 due to anti-social behaviour and rent arrears.

Mr Akumiah's home will now be re let to others waiting for council
accommodation. The vulnerable neighbour has now been rehoused by the
council.

The police and council will continue to work together to respond to
residents' concerns about drug related crime and anti-social behaviour,
and to evict those responsible.

Anyone with information about the supply or misuse of illegal drugs can
speak to their local Safer Neighbourhoods Team, the details of which can
be found at www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods or by calling the police
non-emergency number 101. In an emergency always dial 999.