Oldbury based drug dealer who operated county lines network supplying heroin and cocaine jailed
A drug dealer who operated a county lines drug network supplying heroin and cocaine in the Oldbury area has been jailed.
Markel Harris ran the Sharpie drugs line which operated in the West Midlands and other areas of the country.
West Midlands Police's County Lines Task Force officers investigating the drugs line found bulk phone messages were sent out showing availability and prices of drugs to users.
After CCTV enquiries, they identified Harris purchasing top up vouchers for a phone involved in the drugs line.
In February, they executed a warrant at his home in Walton Road, Oldbury and seized a handset used by the drugs line and a host of class A drugs as well as £18,000 in cash.
The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and possessing criminal property at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to five years and three months at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (20 Oct).
DC Ady Turton, from the force's CID County Lines team said: "We are working harder than ever to crack down on county lines, which bring misery to communities in the form of drug dealing, exploitation and violence.
"Harris ran a highly active drugs line that not only operated in Oldbury but other areas.
"We are pleased he has been taken off our streets and is now serving time behind bars."
Anyone who is worried that a young person is at risk from county lines can visit the WMP dedicated web page : Eyes Open (County Lines) | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)
They can also get in touch via Live Chat on the website or by calling 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
