How a simple traffic stop rumbled family-run Alum Rock drugs line

Birmingham's family-run 'Faz' line was first discovered after a member of the public alerted the police to a suspected drug deal

West Midlands Police drug investigators have spoken of how an initial traffic stop led to the dismantling of a family-run drugs line in Birmingham. Officers were first alerted to Birmingham's 'Faz' line after they stopped brothers Fazal Wahab and Fazal Akbar in March 2022 in their car.

Police had stopped the brothers in their vehicle after a member of the public alerted them to suspected drug dealing. Inside the car, officers located crack cocaine, cutting agent, two knives and the Faz Line mobile phone.

The 'Faz' line, which ran through Alum Rock, had been causing misery across communities in Birmingham after being set up in 2021. What followed next was a series of raids and searches that brought down the cocaine and heroin supply line and all five members of the drugs empire.

READ MORE: Faz Alum Rock drugs line smashed by police as entire generation of same family jailed

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Detectives spoke of how when their digital forensics team downloaded the contents of the phone they found in the car, they discovered marketing text messages sent out in bulk to customers. Evidence suggested the brothers had been operating the drugs line between November 2021 and March 2022.

One month later in April, a raid on a suspected drug stash location uncovered thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs, prepared for sale, and a makeshift ledger documenting months of activity relating to stored drugs. As a result of the investigation, a whole generation of one Birmingham family has been locked up for their role in running the 'Faz' line.

Five people, including three brothers, were convicted of operating the 'Faz' drugs line in Alum Rock. Following sentencing on October 4 at Birmingham Crown Court, the force said it was the relatives who would have to deal with a "whole generation of the family in prison for a considerable time."

Faces of Birmingham drugs gang who 'showed no remorse' in running 'Faz' line

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Drugs gang sentenced

• Fazal Wahab, 42 pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022 – he was jailed for ten years and ten months.

• Fazal Akbar, 32, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022 and then between February 2023 and December 2023. He was jailed for 13 years.

• Fazal Elahi, 30, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between February 2023 and December 2023 and received a six-year jail term.

• Begum, 29, of Denbigh Drive, was found guilty at trial of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022. She was jailed for two years and six months.

• Carl Jamieson, 54, of Wardlow Road, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 2021 and August 2022. He received a two-year sentence, suspended for two years.

After the hearing, Det Sgt Robert Moir, of West Midlands County Lines Task Force, said: "The Faz brothers continued to deal Class A drugs, no matter the cost and despite police intervention and charges. They showed no remorse up until the point of sentencing.

"Hopefully now they can see the consequences of their actions, not just on them and their family, but the devastating effect drugs have had on their community. The Faz brothers were nothing short of determined in their pursuit of money. Fortunately my officers were equally determined to shut down their operation and bring them to justice.

“Det Cons Gareth Cartwright and Philip Langstone were instrumental in bringing these people to justice. Those involved in the Faz Line had no concern for the lives ruined by their Class A drugs operation. But now it is has ruined their own lives, and sadly those of their relatives who have to deal with a whole generation of the family in prison for a considerable time."

We recently reported how a specialist West Midlands taskforce had led a major crackdown on gangs causing misery in communities through county lines dealing. The force said that they have arrested 130 and charged 119 people for county lines offences since the start of the year. You can read more on that operation here.