Three members of a County Lines gang that exploited vulnerable young people to sell drugs have been convicted and sentenced.
Delon Parkinson, Lomar Meade, and Deshay Harris were jailed for their roles in running a drug operation that transported heroin and crack cocaine between Birmingham and Crewe. The gang used teenagers and vulnerable individuals to move and sell drugs, leading to their convictions for modern slavery offences alongside drug charges.
West Midlands Police’s County Lines Taskforce identified Parkinson, 28, making frequent trips between Birmingham and Crewe, where he set up an apartment as a drug distribution hub. Young people were sent to the apartment to sell drugs on behalf of Parkinson, Meade, and Harris.
A police raid at the Crewe apartment in February last year led to the arrests of Meade, 20, and his girlfriend Harris, 19. Officers found over £1,200 in cash and multiple wraps of heroin. Inside the property, around 100 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine were seized along with several burner phones linked to drug supply.
Following these arrests, officers in Birmingham detained Parkinson, who was also found in possession of drugs.
Sentences Handed Down
Delon Parkinson was sentenced to nine years in prison, including six years for drug offences and three years for modern slavery offences. He was also issued a Slavery Trafficking Prevention Order (STPO) for eight years, restricting his contact with individuals under 18 and imposing limitations on his use of electronic devices.
Lomar Meade received a five-year and five-month sentence for being involved in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply, and modern slavery offences.
Deshay Harris was given a 21-month suspended sentence for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
A police spokesperson emphasized that the force remains committed to dismantling County Lines networks and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. The convictions highlight ongoing efforts to tackle modern slavery within drug trafficking operations.