A “ruthless” criminal who was the first person to be convicted of trafficking children under modern slavery laws is on the run. County Line drugs dealer Zakaria Mohammed is being hunted by police and could be in Birmingham.
The 26-year-old is serving a 14-year prison term for drugs offences after he was jailed in 2018. He was found to be missing from HMP Sudbury, an open prison, on November 11.
Derbyshire Police said Mohammed, who trafficked teenagers to sell heroin and crack cocaine through his network, had links to the Birmingham area. The public was warned not to approach him.
He was described as 5ft 8in tall and of slim build. Inquiries are ongoing to trace him. Police previously said Mohammed was “cynical, deliberate and ruthless” after befriending young and vulnerable children and put them to work in his drugs enterprise.
In an appeal today, police said: “We are appealing for information after a convict absconded from HMP Sudbury. Zakaria Mohammed was found to be missing from the prison on Friday 11 November
“The 26-year-old is currently serving a 14-year prison term for drugs offences. Mohammed, who is 5ft 8ins tall, and of slim build, has links to the Birmingham area.
“Members of the public are asked not to approach Mohammed and instead contact Derbyshire police with reference quoting reference 1056 of 11 November. You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.”