Five men have been jailed for their involvement in a county lines drug operation that sold approximately £730,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine in Birmingham. The group, identified as Akbar Tareq, Ihsan Mahmood, Muzammel Rehman, Adil Shah, and Shirajul Miah, operated the 'silver' drugs line, which supplied hundreds of users across the West Midlands.
Investigation by County Lines Taskforce
The West Midlands Police County Lines Taskforce launched an investigation into the Silver/Silva drugs line, leading to the identification of all five men and their roles in the conspiracy. Detailed inquiries revealed the scale of drug movement and sales over time.
Key Arrests and Evidence
In March 2024, a firearms warrant was executed at a Birmingham city centre apartment, where officers found Rehman and another individual. The search uncovered large quantities of crack cocaine packaged in individual £10 deals, along with dozens of bags and wraps of heroin. In May 2024, a car stop in Shirley led to the arrest of Miah, who was found in possession of additional heroin.
The remaining suspects were identified and arrested throughout 2024 as the case against them strengthened. Investigators determined that over 95,000 calls were made to phones linked to the drugs line, resulting in more than £730,000 in drug sales across Birmingham. The line was advertised through mass messages sent to hundreds of potential clients.
Roles and Sentences
Tareq and Shah played significant roles in organizing and managing the drugs line, while Rehman and Mahmood operated at a lower management level. Miah's involvement was primarily as a driver, transporting drugs and dealers. All five admitted to transporting and selling Class A drugs worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The sentences handed down are as follows:
- Adil Ali Shah, 27, of Kingscliff Road, Birmingham – jailed for seven years and nine months.
- Akbar Tareq, 28, of Churchill Road, Birmingham – jailed for eight years and 11 months.
- Ihsan Mahmood, 23, of Kenelm Road, Birmingham – jailed for six years and nine months.
- Muzammel Rehman, 25, of Gough Road, Birmingham – jailed for seven years.
- Shirajul Miah, 52, of Alexander Way, Birmingham – jailed for two years and eight months.
Police Statement
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: 'Everyday our County Lines Taskforce investigates and takes action against drugs lines across the West Midlands. These criminal groups cause misery to thousands through the drugs they supply and the young and vulnerable people they exploit to move and sell their products. There are a number of ways you can spot the signs of young people being exploited. Go to the West Midlands Police website for more information.'
