County lines drug gang jailed for over 100 years

MEMBERS of one of Britain's biggest county lines drugs gangs have been jailed for a total of more than 100 years.

The group, which worked uniquely as a "coalition", made £1.2million a year and would pocket up to £100,000 a month peddling heroin and crack cocaine.

They were brought to justice after the West Midlands Police county lines taskforce launched its largest yet operation in 2022.

Its Operation Hunterian probe focused on the Rico, Diego, Figo and Potter drug lines, which were taking more than 1,000 calls a day, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Police found they were sending bulk messages to large numbers of people advertising drugs for sale on the streets of Birmingham and Solihull.

Officers raided addresses across the areas following a six-month investigation.

Twelve gang members, who had pleaded guilty to drugs offences earlier this year, were jailed yesterday.