THE TAKEDOWN of a county lines drug gang in south Worcestershire has led to the convictions of 16 defendants who received a combined 96 years in prison.
West Mercia Police have released a video (below) detailing various stages of the investigation into the KAM and H drug lines which flooded the region with cocaine.
The gang’s two leaders, Ameeth Mudhar and Syed Alom, operated the drug lines, supplying drugs to the region from the West Midlands.
Intelligence revealed the drug line in early 2020 with information suggesting that bulk broadcast messages were being sent to a large customer base, detailing cocaine for sale.
With limited initial intelligence, the force’s serious organised crime unit began tracing the operation to identify and bring those responsible to justice.
West Mercia Police identified that the Organised Crime Group (OCG) was led by two individuals, supported by several foot soldiers and street dealers.
To advance the investigation, the force focused on targeting the group’s street dealers, as the information obtained from their mobile phones would be crucial.
With substantial evidence in hand, police attempted to stop a car and arrest Syed Alom and his ‘lieutenant’, Shakir Ali.
Shakir Ali refused to stop the vehicle, reversing into one of our police cars before speeding away.
Shortly after, Syed Alom threw several wraps of cocaine out of the car’s window before abandoning the car recklessly in a pub car park, narrowly missing a small child.
In December 2020, we located Syed Alom at his address, where he was arrested, charged, and remanded into custody.
With his right-hand man behind bars, Ameeth realised the net was closing in and that his own arrest was imminent. He fled to Dubai shortly after, mocking Syed Alom over the phone, claiming he was ’10 steps ahead’.
In April 2021, Ameeth returned to the UK, believing he had escaped justice. However, shortly after his return, the police arrested his trusted associate Sark Kennedy again and seized £15,000 worth of cocaine.
In April 2022, the investigation reached its conclusion with the arrest of six gang members.
In total, 16 defendants were convicted for their involvement in the drug lines, resulting in combined sentences totalling 96 years in prison.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “This case demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our officers to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs that distribute drugs on our streets.”
