Face of 'nasty' dad who used vulnerable boys to transport drugs on rail lines

'RUTHLESS' COUNTY LINES GANG MEMBER LAKAN ILLSLEY HAS BEEN LOCKED UP FOR EXPLOITING CHILDREN INTO TRAVELLING MILES FROM HOME TO SELL DRUGS 17:35, 20 May 2025 A "ruthless"

and "nasty" county lines gang member who exploited children into travelling on rail lines out of Staffordshire to sell drugs has been locked up. Lakan Illsley from Burton-on-Trent

has been jailed for 10 years following a British Transport Police (BTP) and County Lines investigation. Illsley, aged 28, of Beresford Close, pleaded guilty to two counts of Modern Day

Slavery and conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs on March 10. READ MORE: The Birmingham area getting increased police attention as officers close in on six crimes He was sentenced to seven

years and six months at Stafford Crown Court on Tuesday May 20. He was also sentenced to two years and six months for a separate Staffordshire Police count of conspiracy to supply crack

cocaine which he must serve consecutively. Article continues below Following sentencing, Detective Superintendent Craig Payne from BTP’s County Lines Taskforce described Lakan Illsley as a

"nasty individual" who despite being a father had exploited children into travelling miles from home. BTP officers first arrested Illsley in 2023 after spotting two vulnerable boys

at Blackpool station in December 2023 and finding multiple wraps of drugs, a burner phone, cash and a knife. A British Transport Police spokesperson said on May 20: "Sharp eyed BTP

officers spotted two vulnerable 16-year-old boys at Blackpool station on 13 December 2023. "Officers established grounds for a search of the teenagers and one was found to be in

possession of 50 wraps of cocaine, 39 wraps of heroin, a burner phone and £300 in cash. The other was carrying a knife. "Both boys divulged they were more than 130 miles from home.

"Enquiries revealed that both boys were being controlled and exploited via County Lines to deal drugs to make money for Illsley who was behind the operation. "Safeguarding measures

were immediately implemented to ensure the boys’ safety and they were returned home. "Illsley was identified through the phone messages and arrested at the address of his

girlfriend." Detective superintendent Craig Payne from BTP’s County Lines Taskforce, said: “Illsley is a nasty individual, who, despite being a father himself, coerced and exploited

children into travelling miles from home to sell drugs. “County Lines gangs use a range of tactics to lure vulnerable young people into trafficking drugs, money and weapons on the rail

network. “Victims become trapped in a cycle of fear with people like Illsley controlling and manipulating them. Article continues below “We take a zero tolerance stance against anyone who

profits from the exploitation of children. Just like with Illsley, we will relentlessly pursue those who target the vulnerable and safeguard their victims. Anyone with any information on

this sort of activity is encouraged to text us on 61016.”