Two drug dealers have been sentenced to over 30 years in total for their roles in a ‘revenge’ shooting at a Farmfoods car park in Smethwick, West Midlands. The attack, which took place on October 23, 2023, was carried out by 23-year-old Tyjon Cogger and 26-year-old Saabir Mohamed. The shooting was said to be in retaliation for an earlier stabbing incident involving Cogger’s friend.
Cogger drove a stolen Ford Kuga to the supermarket parking lot, where Mohamed opened fire at a rival group. One of the men in the group was injured in the leg but his injuries were not life-threatening. The shooting occurred in the wake of an incident on October 21, when Cogger’s friend was stabbed and later attacked outside City Hospital by a group wielding bats, which led to the hospital being locked down.
Both men were found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, although they were cleared of attempted murder. In addition to the firearm charges, they were convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs after police tracked them down to the Hagley Hotel in Birmingham in December 2023. Officers seized large quantities of heroin and crack cocaine, along with phones and cash. Mohamed also admitted to handling stolen goods related to a stolen Jaguar XF.
At Birmingham Crown Court on February 13, Judge Andrew Smith KC declared both men ‘dangerous’ and handed extended sentences. Cogger, from Dudley, was sentenced to 13 years and six months for the shooting, with an additional 12 months for drug offenses. His sentence will be followed by four years’ extended license. Mohamed, from Smethwick, received 15 years for the firearm offense and one year and eight months for the drugs offenses, also with an extended license period of four years.
Judge Smith concluded that the shooting was a deliberate and planned act of revenge, targeting a rival group. Cogger’s sentence was also consecutive to a previous conviction in 2024 for his involvement in a gang that stole over £500,000 worth of cars.
Defense lawyers for both men cited their troubled backgrounds and personal struggles. However, the court emphasized the deliberate nature of the crime and their roles in the violent and criminal behavior.
Both Cogger and Mohamed will serve lengthy prison sentences as part of their extended terms.
