A KEY player in a £300,000 drugs network has been jailed for his role in supplying crack cocaine and heroin in the Black Country.

Hamza Shahzad was stopped on Hill Street, Brierley Hill, in March and police found drugs and cash inside the car he was in.

Following a search of Shahzad’s home on Woodland Drive, Smethwick, officers seized more drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin and further investigations linked him to drugs supply into Dudley and Stourbridge from Smethwick.

Stourbridge News: Hamza Shahzad. Pic - West Midlands PoliceHamza Shahzad. Pic - West Midlands Police

Shahzad was identified as a key player in the ‘Charlie line’ and evidence showed he was involved in dealing drugs between May 2021 to March 2022.

Police estimate street deals worth more than £300,000 were made during this time.

On July 27 at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the 21-year-old admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and he has been jailed for six years.Stourbridge News: Drugs seized at Shahzad's home. Pics - West Midlands PoliceDrugs seized at Shahzad's home. Pics - West Midlands Police

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: “Catching county lines drug dealers is a priority for us because it often involves the exploitation of children and vulnerable people.

"It’s linked to serious violence between drug gangs and crime committed by users to fuel their addictions.

“We have a specialist county lines taskforce to target these dealers and there’s a strong chance they will end up behind bars.”

People can contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information about drug dealing in their area by calling 0800 555111.