County Lines drugs gang led by 'Escobar' brazenly pose with wads of cash
A County Lines drugs gang whose ringleader was nicknamed 'Escobar' were snared by pictures showing two members posing with wads of cash.
The "Jay" line, which supplied cocaine and cannabis across Birmingham and Warwickshire, was originally run by Shakeel Khan and Mohammed Asim.
The pair sold the line to Shamraz – who was known as 'Escobar' – and fellow dealer Amrez Alam for £40,000.
A complex police investigation throughout 2020 and 2021 saw officers examine thousands of phone messages to crack the gang's network.
Detectives discovered photos of Asim in a car posing with thousands of pounds in cash.
Officers also discovered Shamraz's girlfriend Valentina Dobre, was working with the gang to store and package drugs before they were sold.
Two of the gang's foot soldiers, Mudassar Hussain and Waqar Ali, were also identified.
Police swooped on the gang who were living at various addresses in Birmingham.
While searching one of the properties, a list was found containing the names of dozens of people and how much money they owed the dealers.
Police seized a total of £212,680 in cash which was stashed at the houses, including over £80,000 found at the address of Shamraz and Amrez Alam.
The Jay line supplied nearly 400 customers, with people being encouraged to pay directly into Asim's bank account via transfer.
He claimed he had lent the account to a friend to use and said he knew nothing about the drug cash.
Police found a car outside Dobre's home in Edgbaston which had a converted pellet gun, a starter pistol and five live rounds stashed inside.
Documents relating to Shamraz were also seized.
Dobre told police she knew nothing about drug dealing, but was unable to explain why she referred to Shamraz by the name "Escobar".
Shakeel Khan, 29, of Birmingham, admitted drug offences and was jailed for ten years on April 10.
Shamraz Alam, 31, and Amrez Alam, 30, of Hall Green, both admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and were found guilty of firearm possession.
Mohammed Asim, 30, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property.
Valentina Dobre, 40, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A.
Waqar Ali, 31, and Mudassar Hussain, 39, of Birmingham, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A.
The remaining defendants will be sentenced on July 11 and 12.
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