In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking operations, twelve individuals have been convicted of various drug offences following a comprehensive investigation led by law enforcement agencies in Birmingham and Solihull.
The operation codenamed ‘Operation Huntarian’, saw seventeen warrants executed at properties across Birmingham and Solihull on May 23, 2023, culminating in the arrest and subsequent prosecution of individuals involved in the Rico, Diego, Figo, and Potter drug lines. Initiated by the County Lines Team in November 2022, the operation aimed to disrupt and dismantle illicit drug networks operating in the region.
Analysis of the four drug lines revealed a pattern of bulk messages sent to numerous contacts, a characteristic hallmark of County Lines operations. Each line, identified by the names Rico, Diego, Figo, or Potter, advertised drugs for sale and attracted a significant clientele.
The investigation unearthed the intricate workings of these operations, with individuals such as Aadam and Haroon Iqbal, Mohammed Usman, Adam Slater, Tiahna Phillips, Yasine Sadiq, Mark Seeley, Amani Adams, Ilyas Sadiq, Anees Mahmood, Humair Ul Rehman, and Levy Mukwita identified as key players in the drug trafficking network.
Brothers Aadam and Haroon Iqbal, along with Mohammed Usman, were found to be in control of the ‘Rico Line’, operating through multiple phone numbers in Hodge Hill. Detectives linked them to the operation through recovered phones and telecommunication data.
Similarly, Adam Slater, Tiahna Phillips, Yasine Sadiq, Mark Seeley, Amani Adams, Ilyas Sadiq, Anees Mahmood, Humair Ul Rehman, and Levy Mukwita were implicated in the operations of the Diego, Figo, and Potter lines, with each playing a distinct role in facilitating drug distribution.
The investigation revealed the extent of the drug lines’ reach, with over 1,000 calls per day and more than 200 drug users serviced with class A heroin and crack cocaine. The revenue generated from these operations was estimated to be between £18,000 and £20,000 per week, highlighting the lucrative nature of the illicit trade.
During the warrants, law enforcement officers seized a significant quantity of class A drugs, a substantial amount of cash, and mobile phones used to coordinate the drug lines.
Following their arrests, eleven individuals pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at Birmingham Crown Court over the past eight months, with Amani Adams being the last to plead guilty during a recent court appearance. All twelve individuals will be sentenced at a later date, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime in the region.
