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County lines: West Midlands gang sentenced for drug dealing

West Midlands Police Clockwise from top left, Graham-Shea, Johnson, Chambers, Salmon, Stephenson, SeniorWest Midlands Police
Clockwise from top left, Graham-Shea, Johnson, Chambers, Salmon, Stephenson, Senior

Eight people have been sentenced for their role in a county lines drug-dealing gang.

West Midlands Police said the group had been involved in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine between Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent since 2017.

Phone records showed how leader Nya Graham-Shea tried to coordinate the supply of drugs from prison, it said.

A final sentencing hearing took place at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 3 November.

County lines networks are described as urban drug dealers who sell to customers in more rural areas via dedicated phone lines.

Graham-Shea, 23, of no fixed address, was the first to be arrested and was found with a quantity of drugs, the force said.

West Midlands Police Leoni Vassell and Daniella GriffithsWest Midlands Police
Leoni Vassell and Daniella Griffiths were handed 24 month sentences, suspended for two years

He then remained in contact with some associates involved in the line through illicit mobile phones while remanded in custody, it added.

He later pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and illegally having the phones.

He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm following a separate and unconnected trial and jailed for a total of 17 years.

Det Con Lee Price said: "We know the impact drugs have on our communities and the associated crime they bring."

Those sentenced were:

  • Tyrone Johnson, 24, of Malthouse Drive, Dudley who was given an eight year and six month jail term for charges including conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of a firearm.
  • Troy Senior, 25, of Attwood Gardens, Wolverhampton who was sentenced to five years imprisonment for charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
  • Reggie Salmon, 23, of Stourbridge Road, Dudley who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
  • Connor Chambers, 24, of Probert Road, Wolverhampton who was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
  • Carl Stephenson, 21, of Roxby Gardens, Wolverhampton who was sentenced to five years imprisonment for charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
  • Daniella Griffiths, 22, of Bushbury Lane, Wolverhampton, was handed a 24 month sentence, suspended for two years for charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
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