Chris Kaba 'member' of this Berkshire county-lines drug gang

A judge ruled yesterday that details of Kaba's criminal past can be released after a Metropolitan Police Force officer, Martyn Blake, was cleared of murdering him. 

In September 2022, the police marksman shot the 24-year-old as he tried to ram his way past police cars using an Audi Q8 that was linked to a firearms offence days before. 

READ MORE: Look inside abandoned library set to be demolished for new housing

A senior judged had ruled that Kaba's criminal record and links to organised crime could not be revealed in Sgt Blake's trial, as the details were not relevant to the case. 

Now that police segreant has been cleared of Kaba's murder, it can be revealed that he had been linked to the Brixton-based 67 gang, which had previously seen members jailed for drug running across Berkshire. 

His name was on an indictment at an Old Bailey attempted murder trial earlier this year, where it was an agreed fact that Kaba was a 'core member' of the 67 gang.

In 2019, Tulse Hill-based county lines drug runners were jailed for 61 years, with many proven to be members of the 67 crime gang.

READ MORE: Reading Football Club holding company served winding-up petition by lawyer firm

Eight of those convicted have featured in drill music videos for songs by the act called 67, with repeated references to guns as 'waps' and knives as 'skengs'.

The gang operated phone lines that ran across the South East, each known by a different name.

The AJ line ran in towns and villages on the borders of Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey.

Meanwhile, the Si line ran from London into Bognor Regis, Sussex, and the Pepsi line and the Jeezy lines between London and Medway, Kent.

Four of those convicted in the county lines investigation had appeared in the music video for "Lets Lurk," which was nominated for a MOBO Award in 2016.

Had he not been killed, Kaba would've stood trial for the attempted murder of Brandon Malutshi, who was linked to the rival 1-7 gang in south London.

Undated handout photo issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of grabs from footage of Chris Kaba who allegedly opened fire with a gun inside a busy London nightclub, Chris Kaba is arrowed in Blue. (Image: CPS/PA Wire)Kaba was said to have shot the Malutshi in the legs in a packed nightclub in Hackney six days before he died. 

Kaba had previous convictions for possession of weapons, and the Audi that he was driving when he was killed was linked to three previous firearms incidents in five months.

READ MORE: In the Dock: Latest results from Reading Magistrates' Court

Matt Cane, general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, welcomed Mr Justice Goss’s decision to allow reporting of Kaba’s history and maintained Sgt Blake should “never have stood trial”.

He added: “The ramifications of this case remain widespread; police officers should not have their livelihoods, and their liberty, put at risk for performing what unequivocally, in this case, was his lawful and appropriate function.”

Mr Kaba’s family said they are 'devastated' at the verdict, and have vowed to keep on fighting for justice for their son.