Hundreds of drug lines closed across the West Midlands
89 criminals have been jailed.
Last updated 13th Apr 2026
A specialist unit has closed more than 400 drug lines across the West Midlands and put dealers behind bars for almost 550 years.
The West Midlands Police County Lines Taskforce has dismantled a significant number of drug chains which have tried operating throughout the West Midlands.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, they made hundreds of arrests, shut down 418 drug lines, recovered a haul of weapons and seized hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash following a series of warrants.
This helped the taskforce to put 89 criminals behind bars for a combined total of over 545 years.
The taskforce also clawed back £500,000 of illegally accrued cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).
Dealers typically use phone lines to send out mass messages to potential customers showing the availability of drugs and prices. In some cases they use vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, to help distribute the drugs.
The taskforce often work alongside other departments, such as neighbourhood teams across seven local policing areas, to build up information and tackle the supply lines.
The team’s successes have included two dealers being recently jailed for running the Class A Frankie line into Birmingham city centre, Balsall Heath, Moseley and Selly Oak.
It was established the number associated with the line had received more than 81,000 calls, made 28,000 calls, and sent and received 25,000 text messages between August 2023 and October 2024.
Detective Inspector Mark Robinson, of the County Lines Taskforce, said: "We are committed to shutting down drug networks and putting those who run them behind bars.
"It's very clear the taskforce is making a real impact in tackling the scourge of drugs which not only ruin lives but also contribute to other crimes to fund habits.
"We've managed to close down hundreds of lines and ensure dealers have been taken off the streets for a long time. Our work is never done and we'll continue to target, disrupt and destroy such criminal activity."