Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. to be in charge of, to be responsible for, to own, to take.

1983		C. Knight We Shall Not Die 143: But how yuh never tell mi yuh controllin’ her?
1999		(con. 1979–80) A. Wheatle Brixton Rock (2004) 208: Floyd gazed at the chicken leg on Juliet’s plate [...] ‘I’ll control your chicken.’.
2001		(con. 1981) A. Wheatle East of Acre Lane 16: ‘Here, Mummy. control dis,’ he offered, presenting his mother with a five-pound note.

2. to procure, to find, to arrange.

1999		(con. 1979–80) A. Wheatle Brixton Rock (2004) 125: I’m sort of asking you back the favour for when I controlled you the job.
2001		(con. 1981) A. Wheatle East of Acre Lane 70: Controlled a nice dress for de party.