Seven men have been jailed after a multi-million pound drug line known as the 'P Line' was disrupted by police across the Midlands. The operation supplied Class A drugs including heroin and crack cocaine in Smethwick, Wednesbury, Walsall, and Birmingham.
West Midlands Police released footage showing the moment 21-year-old Asa Mcintosh screamed as officers entered an address to detain him. Another man was handcuffed while wearing only his boxers.
Investigation and arrests
Detectives launched an investigation in 2023 and found that phones were used to send out thousands of calls and messages advertising the drugs. Officers also discovered videos showing off cash.
Members of the organisation worked in 22-hour shifts to meet demand, with runners working seven-hour shifts to sell dozens of kilos of Class A drugs. Seven men were arrested last year.
The group pleaded guilty to multiple offences at Birmingham Crown Court and were sentenced on Wednesday, September 16.
Sentences handed down
Zuhayb Abdi, 30, of no fixed address, was established as the leader of the line, with Waqas Hussain as his understudy. Abdi admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs of class A cocaine and heroin and was jailed for seven years.
Hussain, aged 27, of Wells Avenue, Darlaston, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A cocaine and diamorphine and was jailed for five years.
Mcintosh, aged 21, of Foley Street, Wednesbury, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A cocaine and diamorphine, and was jailed for nine years and nine months.
Bradley Whatmore, aged 25, of Stonehouse Crescent, Wednesbury, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A cocaine and diamorphine and two counts of possession with intent to supply class B cannabis. He was jailed for 10 years and six months.
Hakeem Ali, aged 24, of Jasmine Way, Darlaston, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply class A cocaine and diamorphine, and was jailed for 10 years and five months.
Quarnay Lee-Taylor, aged 25, of Lilac Grove, Wednesbury, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply class A cocaine and diamorphine and was jailed for 12 years and seven months. Rees Macdonald, aged 31, of no fixed address, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply class A cocaine and heroin and one count of kidnapping. He was jailed for six years.
Police statement
Detective Sergeant Adam Buzzard, from the County Lines Taskforce, said: "This group ran a significant drugs line around the Black Country and wider area. They were meticulous in their planning to ensure the drug line ran all hours of the day, every day.
"However, thanks to our excellent investigative skills, we were able to identify those involved in the line and secure significant jail time for all seven. Drugs cause harm within communities and we're carrying out action day in, day out, to disrupt supply lines across the region."
Cash was seized during the operation, and the sentences total more than 60 years in prison.
