TWO MEN have been imprisoned for a total of nearly 33 years for firearm and drugs offences in London.
Darryl Tawiah, 34, of Green Dragon Lane, north London, and Fanzisai Zvirawa, 37, of Herbert Road, southeast London, were sentenced last week (Nov 22) at the Old Bailey after being found guilty of possessing Class A drugs, a gun and ammunition.
Zvirawa received a jail term of 14 years and eight months, while Tawiah got a prison sentence of 18 years.
Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and crack cocaine, but while Zvirawa admitted to possessing the Sterling sub-machine gun and ammunition, Tawiah denied the weapon charge, which he was found guilty of on September 18.
During their trial, the court heard how on March 14 police attempted to stop and arrest the men in Bycullah Road in Enfield, north London. But officers were put in danger when Zvirawa drove his car at speed towards police, resulting in one officer suffering minor injuries that could have been far worse.
A prolonged car chase ensued, and eventually the pair were detained in Cambridge Road near its junction with the North Circular.
Detectives managed to trace a key back to a safe house in Enfield where they recovered the drugs, gun and ammunition.
Detective inspector Keely Smith, of the Projects Team, said: “[The] result is a testament to our commitment to bring those who deal drugs and cause misery to the communities of London to justice for their crimes.
“The firearm was clearly on the premises for protection of Zvirawa and Tawiah’s safe house and I am in no doubt it would have been used if their situation was compromised.”