Oldbury drug dealer who operated county lines network in West Midlands is jailed

A drug dealer who operated a county lines drug network supplying heroin and cocaine in the Oldbury area has been jailed.

Markel Harris of Walton Road, Oldbury ran the Sharpie drugs line which operated in the West Midlands and other areas of the country.

West Midlands Police County Lines Task Force officers investigating the drugs line found that bulk phone messages were sent out showing availability and prices of drugs to users. Following CCTV enquiries, police identified Harris purchasing top up vouchers for a phone involved in the drugs line.

In February, officers executed a warrant at his home and seized a handset used by the drugs line and a host of class A drugs.

They seized £18,000 in cash from Harris’ address.

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 October).

What has West Midlands Police said?

DC Ady Turton, from the Force 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 operates in Oldbury but other areas.

“We are pleased he has been taken off our streets and is now serving time behind bars.”