Birmingham's Snowbrum Snapchat Drug Network Shut Down After Police Investigation
A drug dealer who ran a prolific County Lines operation in Birmingham, using Snapchat to advertise and distribute illegal substances, has had his network completely shut down following a thorough police investigation. Asim Akram, the mastermind behind the Snowbrum line, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in the large-scale drug distribution network.
Snapchat Used to Advertise and Sell Drugs Across the City
Asim Akram utilized the popular social media platform Snapchat to promote, sell, and distribute a wide range of drugs across Birmingham. Between February and September of last year, he advertised crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, ketamine, and cannabis for sale to customers throughout the city. This digital approach allowed him to reach a broad audience while attempting to evade traditional law enforcement detection methods.
Police Raid and Arrest in Saltley
Officers from the West Midlands Police County Lines Taskforce launched an investigation into Akram's drug dealing setup after identifying suspicious activity. On Thursday, September 18, a raid was conducted at an address on College Road in Saltley. During this operation, police were able to identify Akram as the controller of the Snapchat account that had been used to advertise the illegal drugs.
The 41-year-old was promptly arrested for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. During the raid, officers seized multiple mobile phones directly linked to the drug line, along with significant quantities of both Class A and Class B drugs. Large amounts of cash were also confiscated as part of the evidence gathering process.
Guilty Plea and Seven-Year Sentence
Asim Akram pleaded guilty to charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, as well as possession with intent to supply the same substances. Last Thursday, February 12, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for his crimes. This conviction represents a significant victory for law enforcement in their ongoing battle against County Lines drug networks operating in the West Midlands region.
Police Statement on County Lines Impact
Sergeant Craig Tennant from the West Midlands Police County Lines Taskforce emphasized the importance of this successful operation. "Following a thorough investigation, which included an extensive review of mobile phone usage, we were able to lock up Akram and shut down his network," he stated. "We know that County Lines networks impact our communities and fuel other crime. This is why we continue to work day in, day out, to stop those moving drugs throughout the West Midlands area and find those responsible to bring down drug lines."
The shutdown of the Snowbrum line demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted police operations against digital drug networks. Authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to combat similar operations that threaten community safety and contribute to broader criminal activities in the region.
