FIVE people, including three brothers, have been convicted after police dismantled a family-run drugs line that was operating through a Birmingham neighbourhood.
Brothers Fazal Wahab, Fazal Akbar and Fazal Elahi, all of Parkfield Drive, Birmingham, were convicted for their roles in operating the ‘Faz’ drugs line through Alum Rock.
Alongside the brothers, Shakeela Begum, Wahab’s partner, and Carl Jamieson were also convicted for having a part to play in the operation. All five defendants were sentenced on October 4 at Birmingham Crown Court.
Officers stopped the car of Wahab and Akbar in March 2022 after being alerted by a member of the public about suspected drug dealing.
After searching the vehicle, police found crack cocaine, cutting agent and the ‘Faz’ line mobile phone, as well as two knives. £8,000 in cash was then later recovered from the brothers' home address.
Digital forensics downloaded the contents of the phone to discover that the line had been operating since November 2021.
Following further investigation by the Birmingham East Organised Crime Team, officers raided Jamieson’s address on Wardlow Road, Birmingham in April 2022, where they uncovered thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs, some of which the 54-year-old attempted to throw out of the window upon the arrival of police.
A makeshift ledger was also recovered, detailing months of activity relating to sorted drugs.
Officers targeted the brothers' vehicle once again in August 2022, where they seized the drug line phone and a further £12,000 cash from their home.
Wahab was then remanded into custody, with Akbar, Begum and Jamieson also being charged.
However, whilst awaiting trial, Akbar enlisted the help of his 30-year-old brother, Elahi, in February 2023 in a third and final attempt to restart the operation.
This launched another police investigation, with Akbar and Elahi being charged with supplying Class A drugs in February 2024.
After pleading guilty to the same crime as his older brother, as well as restarting the drugs line between February 2023 and December 2023, 32-year-old Akbar was jailed for 13 years.
Elahi was handed a six year jail term after pleading guilty for his role in the drugs operation between February 2023 and December 2023.
Begum, of Denbigh Drive, Birmingham, was found guilty at trial for being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022 and jailed for two and a half years.
Jamieson received a two-year suspended sentence for pleading guilty to the same crime.
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 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."
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