Drug dealing West Midlands family jailed for 36 years in total

A family who ran a drugs line supplying cocaine, heroin and cannabis have been jailed after police busted their illegal operation.

Brothers Dylon and Reis Salhan worked alongside their cousin Gurvinder Dari to co-ordinate the trade of several kilograms of drugs a week. Officers found a haul of drugs with a bulk value of more than £150,000 - along with evidence of crack cocaine being produced - after raiding an address in Green Street, West Bromwich, last July.

Police also found a large quantity of cash and arrested Dylon Salhan and Dari from the property. They carried out further enquiries and were also able to connect Reis Salhan to the supply chain. Officers have revealed how they discovered that the trio were using encrypted messaging services in order to conduct their illicit business.

Dari aged 29 of The Ridings, Cannock; and Dylon Salhan, 25, and Reis Salhan, 24, both of Lightwoods Road, Smethwick, pleaded guilty to the possession with intent to supply and production of drugs. They were each sentenced to 12 years imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday (3 July).

DC Ed Costello, from the Force Priorities Team, said: "This was a family-run drugs line which we’ve been able to shut down and make sure Class A drugs, and those involved in supplying them, have been taken off the streets. Drugs harm our communities and can lead to further crime to fund habits. We’ll continue to act on intelligence and target those involved in these illegal activities."

It comes as West Midlands Police runs Operation Target which it has described as a tough stance against a range of serious offences – from drug dealing and burglary, to cyber-crime and fraud. Officers are using local intelligence, seizing goods, carrying out warrants and targeting suspects as part of the ongoing operation.