A DRUG dealer has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for operating a line supplying heroin and crack cocaine to users in Stourbridge.

Ibrar Hussain, aged 35, was running the ‘ACE Line’ from his home in Birmingham to customers in the Black Country town.

The ACE line advertised crack cocaine and heroin to users by way of sending out bulk SMS messages to over 90 customers. Users then called or sent a message to Hussain to place an order.

Hussain then travelled to the Stourbridge area to supply drugs to his customers.

West Midlands Police first encountered Hussain in September 2022 when they recovered a mobile phone.

Investigations later revealed that that handset was the active drugs line in use at the time and that he was travelling most days between his home in Ward End Park, Washwood Heath and Stourbridge. He was also in possession of £1200 in cash.

In October officers stopped Hussain while he was driving a Volvo into Stourbridge and discovered a Nokia handset which was located under the driver’s side seat.

They then conducted a search warrant of Hussain’s home and found £500 cash.

Investigations revealed the new Nokia drugs line handset was found to contain incoming messages showing customers enquiring about purchasing drugs.

Hussain was charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between July 27 and  September 15 2022 and the possession of criminal property.

He pleaded guilty to the charges and at Birmingham Crown Court recently he was sentenced to four-and-a-half years.

DC Philip Langstone, from the Force CID County Lines investigation team, who was in charge of the investigation said: “County Lines drug dealers target the most vulnerable, ruining lives and blighting communities. We are pleased Hussain has been taken off our streets and is now serving time behind bars.

“Serious and organised crime persistently erodes communities and the gangs ruthlessly target the most vulnerable, ruining lives and blighting communities.”