Drug dealing duo jailed after County Lines drugs raid discovered cash hidden in plant pots

A man and woman have been jailed after the West Midlands Police County Lines Taskforce (CLTF) dismantled their drugs line.

The force said that officers from the CLTF carried out warrants across multiple addresses in Birmingham and Coventry in July last year, as part of an investigation into the 'Kam' drugs lines.

A 55-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were arrested and charged with multiple drug dealing offences.

Officers continued to search the properties and found that over £100,000 in cash had been concealed inside plant pots in the garden of one of the properties.

Following extensive searches, a total of £131,000 was found in cash alongside multiple kilos of drugs including cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin.

Madat Ali, 55, of Clements Street, Coventry, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, concerned in the supply of heroin, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property.

Rowen Picken, 32, of Rickman Drive, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and concerned in the supply of heroin.

At Warwick Crown Court on Monday, Ali was jailed for 12 years and six months, while Picken was jailed for six years.

Detective Sergeant Craig Tennant, from the CLTF, said: "This was a significant investigation into what was clearly a highly active drugs line.

"Ali was meticulous in how he hid a large amount of money, but thanks to our significant searching capabilities, we were able to find the hidden cash and drugs.

"The duo will now be spending time behind bars and another drugs line shut down."