Drugs line in Alum Rock taken down
A drugs line has been dismantled in Alum Rock, Birmingham.
Five people have been convicted after police dismantled a drugs line operating in Alum Rock, Birmingham.
Brothers Fazal Wahab and Fazal Akbar had been selling cocaine and heroin to people through what was known as the Faz Line.
In March 2022, officers stopped the brothers in a vehicle after a member of the public alerted them to suspected drug dealing.
Inside the car, officers located crack cocaine, cutting agent, two knives and the Faz Line mobile phone. They also found £8,000 in cash in a search of their home.
A search of the phone produced marketing text messages sent out in bulk to customers. Evidence suggested the brothers had been operating the drugs line between November 2021 and March 2022.
Wahab was charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. However, a further investigation showed that Wahab reinstated the line the following day, with the assistance of his partner Shakeela Begum, who set up the SIM card ready for use.
In April 2022, officers from the Birmingham East Organised Crime Team executed search warrants at the home address of Carl Jamieson, following intelligence it was a drug stash location.
On entry, the occupants attempted to discard a large bag of Class A drugs from an upstairs window.
Officers uncovered thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs, prepared for sale, and a makeshift ledger documenting months of activity relating to stored drugs.
In August 2022, officers once again targeted the brothers’ vehicle, seizing the drug line phone, and over £12,000 in cash from their home address.
Wahab was charged again and remanded into custody and Akbar, Begum, and Jamieson were also charged.
In February 2023, police received new intelligence that Akbar had restarted the line whilst awaiting trial, now drug dealing with a third brother Fazal Elahi, all from Parkfield Drive, Birmingham, and another proactive investigation was launched.
In February 2024, Akbar and Elahi were arrested and charged with Class A drug supply.
All defendants were sentenced together on 4 October at Birmingham Crown Court.
• Fazal Wahab, aged 42 pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022 – he was jailed for 10 years 10 months custodial
• Fazal Akbar, aged 32 pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022 and then between February 2023 and December 2023. He was jailed for 13 years.
• Fazal Elahi, aged 30 pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between February 2023 and December 2023 and received a six year jail term.
• Shakeela Begum, aged 29 of Denbigh Drive, was found guilty at trial for being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022. She was jailed for two years six months.
• Jamieson, aged 54 of Wardlow Road, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022. He received a two year sentence suspended for two years.
Detective Sergeant Robert Moir, of the County Lines Task Force, said: "The Faz brothers continued to deal Class A drugs, no matter the cost and despite police intervention and charges.
"They showed no remorse up until the point of sentencing. Hopefully now they can see the consequences of their actions, not just on them and their family, but the devastating effect drugs have had on their community.
"The Faz brothers were nothing short of determined in their pursuit of money.
“Fortunately my officers were equally determined to shut down their operation and bring them to justice.
“DC Gareth Cartwright and DC Philip Langstone were instrumental in bringing these people to justice.
"Those involved in the Faz Line had no concern for the lives ruined by their Class A drugs operation. But now it is has ruined their own lives, and sadly those of their relatives who have to deal with a whole generation of the family in prison for a considerable time."