Three Drug Traffickers Jailed for Over 15 Years Over Cross-Border County Lines Operation

Strategic Insights -

Three vulnerable teenagers, used as drug runners, were exploited by Saqib Mehmood, Waqar Khan, and Tony Spencer in an "undoubtedly profitable" conspiracy to supply Class A drugs worth up to £150,000. The operation, known as the "Marcus" line, used teenagers as runners and was active between March and July last year. The teenagers had been reported missing from their homes in the Bradford area.

Key Takeaways:

  • Saqib Mehmood, 25, of Hudson Crescent, Great Horton, Bradford, was jailed for six years and one month for his role in the operation.
  • Waqar Khan, 26, of no fixed abode, Bradford, received five years imprisonment for his involvement in the operation.
  • Tony Spencer, 34, of Lime Street, Great Horton, Bradford, got four-and-a-half years in jail for his role in the operation.
  • The operation, known as the "Marcus" line, was active between March and July last year and used vulnerable teenagers as drug runners.
  • The teenagers, who were reported missing from their homes in the Bradford area, were exploited by those working higher up in the organization.
  • The operation was involved in the supply of Class A drugs worth between £55,000 and £150,000.
  • Khan transported drug runners to Blackpool on three occasions and was a trusted employee of the operation.
  • Spencer was found with a SIM card for the Marcus line and almost £1,000 in cash along with a phone linked to the line.
  • Mehmood was arrested in July and found with expensive watches and messages on his phone advertising heroin and crack cocaine for sale.
  • The court heard that Mehmood had previous convictions for drugs and was on licence at the time of offending, while Khan had no previous convictions but Spencer had a worrying list of previous convictions including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Statistics:

  • The operation was active between March and July last year.
  • The teenagers, who were used as drug runners, were reported missing from their homes in the Bradford area.
  • The operation was involved in the supply of Class A drugs worth between £55,000 and £150,000.
  • Three vulnerable teenagers were exploited by the operation.
  • Saqib Mehmood was jailed for six years and one month, Waqar Khan for five years, and Tony Spencer for four-and-a-half years.
  • The court heard that the operation was "sophisticated" and "commercial".

Sources:

  • Three teenagers jailed for more than 15 years over county lines heroin and cocaine plot, The Telegraph, [n/a]
  • Bradford Crown Court, [n/a]
  • Lancashire Constabulary, [n/a]