The Frankie drugs line operator, Ishaaq Ayaz, made a mistake with his personal phone, which led to investigators linking him to the Class A drugs operation
Grinning Ishaaq Ayaz and his Frankie line drug-dealing accomplice Numaan Mahmood were found to be supplying cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine into the city centre, Balsall Heath, Moseley and Selly Oak
Two county lines drug dealers from Birmingham supplied large swathes of the city with cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine causing ‘misery’ for users.
The Frankie drug line had started in August, 2023, and was operating in the city centre, Balsall Heath, Moseley and Selly Oak daily from 9am to 9pm.
West Midlands Police investigators found the number linked to the Frankie line received more than 81,000 calls, made 28,000 calls.
Read more: ‘B line’ drug dealers caught after phone blunder
And sent and received 25,000 text messages between August 2023 & October 2024.
The number was used to send out messages to large number of people announcing saying they were ‘open for business’ and was able to supply ‘good quality drugs’.
Police investigators found Ishaaq Ayaz bought a top-up for the phone in August, 2024 and that he was the main operator running the line.
The force said through extensive mobile phone analysis, it was able to show that Ayaz’s personal phone was often with the phone used to run the drugs line.
Cash and drugs seized as part of the investigation into the Frankie drugs line in Birmingham
One person would remain with the phone and take orders, before contacting a ‘runner’ who would deliver the drugs.
While officers were raiding a city centre property, linked to Ayaz in October, 2024, another man, Numaan Mahmood, arrived and was arrested.
He had wraps of drugs, an iPhone used to run the Frankie line, and hundreds of pounds in cash on him.
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While Ayaz was not at the flat police seized around £7,000 in cash, class A drugs, and scales.
In all, 495 wraps and 222g of cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine was seized, along with £9,256 in cash.
Both men went on to plead guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, and were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (March 11).
Ayaz, aged 26, of Brighton Road, Balsall Heath, was jailed for seven years and four months.
While Mahmood, aged 20, of Kingswood Road, Moseley, was jailed for two years and three months.
Det Insp Mark Robinson, of our County Lines Taskforce, said: “This was a significant drugs operation, operating across a large part of Birmingham and trading in Class A drugs, and the misery that they bring to users and communities.
“We continue to work around the clock to disrupt drugs networks across the West Midlands.”
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The sentences come as West Midlands Police mark a successful county lines intensification week, which saw more than 160 arrests and the closure of a number of drugs lines.
A police spokesperson added: “It’s important you know how to spot the signs of county lines.
“If someone you know is getting high numbers of texts or phone calls, missing school, or now has new clothes or devices and can’t explain how they were paid for, it’s time to have that talk.”