Eight people have been charged with County Lines offences and are due before Birmingham magistrates today. The defendants were charged last night, Thursday, October 22, with offences relating to the supply of Class A drugs in the West Midlands and Staffordshire.
The charges follow arrests made during raids across the Midlands. West Midlands Police confirmed that the operation was carried out by its County Lines Taskforce earlier this week, with eight people arrested from addresses in Birmingham, West Bromwich and Tamworth.
Details of the charges
All eight defendants were charged as follows:
- Dritan Zhuka, 24, of New Street, Birmingham – conspiracy to supply cocaine
- Ardit Paci, 30, of Este Road, Birmingham – conspiracy to supply cocaine
- Elvin Zera, 22, of New Street, Birmingham – conspiracy to supply cocaine
- Urim Zhuka, 26, of Wharfside Street, Birmingham – conspiracy to supply cocaine and production of cannabis
- Armando Zhuka, 23, of Osmondthorpe, Leeds, Yorkshire – conspiracy to supply cocaine and production of cannabis
- Radu Chertes, 39, of Summer Road, Birmingham – conspiracy to supply cocaine
- Justin Shyti, 26, of Hayes Street, West Bromwich – conspiracy to supply cocaine
- Claudio Rodriguez, 49, of Thomas Street, Tamworth – conspiracy to supply cocaine
Police operation and response
West Midlands Police said: "The charges follow an operation by our County Lines Taskforce earlier this week in which eight people were arrested from addresses in Birmingham, West Bromwich and Tamworth."
The force added: "Across the West Midlands our teams work to tackle County Lines drug dealing through proactive operations and warrants."
County Lines is a term used to describe drug dealing networks that use dedicated mobile phone lines to supply illegal substances, often moving drugs and cash between urban areas and smaller towns. The taskforce focuses on disrupting these networks through targeted enforcement.
The defendants are all expected to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court today, where the charges will be formally put to them. The court will determine bail or remand decisions and set a timetable for any further proceedings.
