County Lines Drugs Gang exposed after Duo posed with Cash

Police snared a County Lines drugs gang after two members were brazenly pictured holding 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 Alam, who was nicknamed ‘Escobar’ after the notorious Colombian drug lord, and Amrez Alam for £40,000.

A police investigation throughout 2020 and 2021 saw officers examine thousands of phone messages.

They cracked the gang’s network and eventually raided several properties containing cash, drugs and guns.

Detectives found photos of Asim in a car posing with thousands of pounds in cash.

Officers also discovered that 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 County Lines drugs gang who were living at various addresses in Birmingham.

During one search of a property, a list containing the names of dozens of people and how much money they owed the dealers was found.

Police seized a total of £212,680 in cash, which was stashed at the houses.

This included over £80,000 found at the address of Shamraz and Amrez Khan.

The Jay line supplied nearly 400 customers, with people being encouraged to pay directly into Asim’s bank account via transfer.

Asim claimed he had lent the account to a friend to use and was unaware of 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, aged 29, of Birmingham, admitted drug offences and was jailed for 10 years on April 10, 2024.

Shamraz Alam, aged 31, and Amrez Alam, aged 30, of Hall Green, both admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and were found guilty of firearm possession.

Mohammed Asim, aged 30, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property.

Valentina Dobre, aged 40, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A.

Waqar Ali, aged 31, and Mudassar Hussain, aged 39, of Birmingham, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A.

The remaining defendants will be sentenced on July 11 and 12.