Three members of a County Lines drug trafficking gang have been sentenced for their roles in exploiting vulnerable young people to sell drugs between Birmingham and Crewe. Delon Parkinson, Lomar Meade, and Deshay Harris have all been convicted of serious offenses, including modern-day slavery, alongside drug-related charges.
The gang operated by using young people and teenagers to transport and sell heroin and crack cocaine. Parkinson, 28, was identified by the County Lines Taskforce as the key figure in the operation, frequently travelling between the two cities. He set up an apartment in Crewe where vulnerable young people were sent to distribute the drugs on his behalf.
A warrant executed in February 2023 at the apartment led to the arrests of Meade, 20, and his 19-year-old girlfriend, Harris. Officers discovered more than £1,200 in cash, along with wraps of heroin. They also seized about 100 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin inside the apartment, along with “burner” phones used for the drug trade.
Following the arrests, officers in Birmingham apprehended Parkinson, who was found to be in possession of additional drugs. The three were subsequently convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the criminal network.
Parkinson was sentenced to nine years in prison, with six years for drug offenses and three years for modern-day slavery. He was also handed a Slavery Trafficking Prevention Order (STPO), which restricts him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18 and imposes strict limitations on his use of electronic devices. The STPO will remain in effect for eight years.
Meade received a sentence of five years and five months for drug offenses and modern slavery. Harris was given a 21-month suspended sentence for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to dismantle County Lines operations and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
