A London man almost outsmarted police, but a couple of wrong moves resulted in 24-year-old Michael Babolala facing the same music as his convicted older brother.
Last year, police raided the home of Babolala’s older brother, Olusegun. There, they found Babolala, 24, Olusegun, 26, and over £7 000 — worth around $8,700 in USD — of crack cocaine and heroin hidden inside at least one tissue box, according to the Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
In body cam footage from the raid, police also found weighing scales and multiple cell phones —with one of which being confirmed as the “deal line,” according to My London News. Additionally in the house, authorities found designer clothing and footwear.
The Babalola raid was just one of many in part of a 2023 police operation targeting drug dealers in the area, according to the Peterborough Telegraph. Both brothers were arrested during the raid, but because of a lack of physical evidence, the youngest brother was let go.
It wasn’t until much later into their investigation into Olusegun that authorities realized Babolala wasn’t just in the wrong place at the wrong time during the raid. Detective Constable Olly Campbell, who led the investigation, said, “as a result of our investigation into his brother — who is now serving an eight-year prison sentence — we uncovered Michael’s criminality.”
“We are actively targeting those who think it is acceptable to commit crime and supply drugs in Cambridgeshire,” he continued, “including those who travel from other areas of the country.”
Eventually, Olusegun was sentenced to eight years behind bars on five counts of supplying crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, and possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine in September, according to the Peterborough Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Babalola was living his best life, flexing Rolex watches, money, and more online, according to his social media. And that’s what ultimately helped investigators put two and two together.
After discovering incriminating cell phone messages in conjunction with Babalola’s social media presence, authorities arrested the 24-year-old. On Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, Babalola pleaded guilty to drug supply and possession of criminal property. He’s now been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, according to the Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
Babalola is the 19th person to be sentenced in part of the major police operation titled Operation Tsunami, according to officials.