Owen 'Father Fowl' Clarke
Andrew Clunis, News Editor
London: (The Voice)
BRITISH POLICE monitored Owen 'Father Fowl' Clarke for two years after he was identified as the head of a crack/cocaine distribution empire.
"We decided to use as many law enforcement agencies as possible to find his weaknesses. We saw whom he relied on and took out those cells. He had a network linking the north, east and south of London and he also supplied Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, the West Country including Bristol as well as Brighton and Croydon in the south," Detective Chief Inspector Peter South explained.
"In the beginning he was doing it from a distance, and although he had control of the cells here, he was living in Jamaica. Once we took away the people he was relying on, we were able to draw him back to London. We then took out a key cell in Luton and he realised he was losing control, so in order to re-establish his authority he was forced to become more personally involved."
LINKED TO RADIO DJ'S DEATH
Convicted crack dealer 'Father Fowl' may have been linked to the killing of a London radio disc jockey, DJ Village, a police officer has said.
The budding radio DJ, who did stints at the BBC, was shot in 2001 in the presence of Jamaican dancehall star, Elephant Man. DCI South, who led the investigation that put away Fowl for 13 years last week, said intelligence suggests that while he may not have pulled the trigger on DJ Village, persons connected to his drug network may have been responsible.
He said Operation Trident had good intelligence that Fowl was definitely responsible for several killings in Jamaica. DCI South said Father Fowl, 46, was among the top six crack dealers in the United Kingdom.
"There are only a few people who operate at that level and we have gathered intelligence and we will be going after them," he said.
When Fowl was arrested, the police found him in a laboratory-style environment working on a new, more deadly form of crack. He was using a special oil to make it more pure, lighter in colour and more potent. The super crack would have been far more deadly, requiring only a single usage to induce addiction. Police seized more than 100 kilograms of cocaine valued at over £2 million.
When the police barged in on Fowl at the safe house in Collingdale, he tried to escape. Realising he was cornered, he told accomplice Jason Saddler to take the blame. Saddler pleaded guilty to manufacturing and supplying crack and was put away for five years. Father Fowl denied involvement at every stage during the trial, claiming he was 'stitched up'. He told officers that he was the puppet of another gangster, Mark Lamby, who
is currently in prison for a shooting.
EMPIRE
DCI South said Fowl's conviction sent a message to the trade. "That message is that even he can serve 13 years. He always thought he was untouchable. This has sent a strong ripple through the crack community," he said.
Police were kept on their toes trying to keep track of the wily Fowl. According to DCI South, "He changed his tactics several times, although he predominantly used mules. Many of the people who were arrested at Gatwick and Heathrow during that period were working for him."
Although the police have not been able to link him to any murders, they say he was close to a number of killings and might have given orders. Fowl was the pivotal figure in the British Link-Up crew, who staged dances and parties at the exotic La Roose entertainment spot on Port Henderson Road. As part of that British link up, he would use the women who travelled to and from Britain for the events as couriers.
An investigation is now taking place to determine Fowl's assets. He is known to own properties in Britain, Canada, the United States and three grand mansions in Jamaica.
Fowl sported a £20,000 diamond and gold crucifix necklace and wore £10,000 hand-tailored suits. In Jamaica he drove a custom-built Jaguar. The police said Fowl was a 'man of leisure' and did not seem to carry on any legitimate business. A confiscation hearing will be held later this year regarding the seizure of his assets.
