Man jailed following County Lines drugs operation in Kidderminster
26-year-old Lewis Hayles will spend more than three-and-a-half years behind bars.
A Birmingham man has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Lewis Hayles, 26, of Peel Street, Birmingham was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Monday (24 July 2023).
His accomplice, 30-year-old Kevon Shirley of Mayflower Close in Birmingham was sentenced to 22 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
The convictions follow an intelligence-led investigation into the Ash County Lines gang dealing drugs from the West Midlands in to the Wyre Forest area.
On 12 October 2021 officers spotted the blue Ford Focus the pair were travelling in heading from Birmingham towards Kidderminster.
It was stopped by police on the A451 in Ismere, near Kidderminster. Hayles attempted to run from officers but was quickly detained. A large package of heroin and crack cocaine was found nearby, which forensic teams were able to link to him. A mobile phone discarded by Hayles was also found, which contained adverts for drugs for sale.
Shirley was acting as a driver for Hayles and facilitating his drugs supply.
DC David Laver, who led the investigation, said: “Hayles, as part of the Ash County Lines drug gang, was dealing crack cocaine and heroin daily in the Wyre Forest area, so to have him off the streets is great result locally.
“We’re constantly working to keep our communities safe from criminals who travel to our area to sell drugs and will always act on intelligence about County Lines drug dealing.
“I hope the sentence handed to Hayles acts as a warning to those looking to come and deal drugs on our force area, showing that we can and do take action.
“The conviction for Shirley shows that even assisting in the supply of drugs carries serious consequences.”