A KIDDERMINSTER man is among a gang which has been sentenced to a combined total of more than 40 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs into South Worcestershire from the West Midlands.

The convictions follow an investigation by West Mercia’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit into a ‘deal line’ known as the Kam Line between January 1, 2018, and December 15, 2020.

The gang of six men were convicted of dealing more than 14kg of cocaine to an estimated 2,000 users over that period when they appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday (February 2).

Syed Didar Ahmed, 37, of Offmore Road, Kidderminster, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ years imprisonment, reduced to one year eight months for his early guilty plea and suspended for 18 months with 150 hours of unpaid work.

Syed Alom, 35, of Highfield Road, Rowley Regis was sentenced to 15 years, reduced to ten years for his early guilty plea to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Shakir Ali, 35, of Sycamore Road, Wednesbury was jailed for 11-and-a-half years, reduced to ten years having pled guilty on the first day of trial to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

He was also issued a disqualification from driving.

Mohammed Amilrul Islam, 30, of Blythswood Road, Birmingham was jailed for nine-and-a-half years, reduced to eight-and-a-half years having pled guilty on the first day of trial to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Andre Passaro, 38, of Winchombe Drive, Worcester was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment, reduced to two years for his early guilty plea and suspended for 18 months with 175 hours of unpaid work.

Duncan Lawson, 44, of Arosa Drive, Malvern was sentenced to two years three months’ imprisonment, reduced to one year, 11 months for his guilty plea at the start of the trial and suspended for 18 months with 200 hours of unpaid work.

The Kam Line was the name of the telephone number, or ‘deal line’, used to run the organised drug-dealing network.

These ‘dealing’ numbers were used to send text messages to the Kam Line’s customer base, offering to supply drugs.

Alom and Ali would travel to south Worcestershire for no other purpose than to resupply their trusted sub dealers Lawson, Passaro and Ahmed for onward supply to cocaine users or to collect the proceeds of these sales.

Detective Chief Inspector Gerard Smith from West Mercia Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “This sentencing is a tribute to the investigation team, and I echo the sentiment of Judge Cole who commended the police for a detailed and diligent investigation.

“The officers of West Mercia’s Serious and Organised Crime unit worked tirelessly and relentlessly to pursue those responsible for a well-established, long running and lucrative drug dealing enterprise.”

“Tackling serious and organised crime and county lines is a priority and we will continue to focus our efforts on disrupting the criminal behaviour of those who are causing harm in our communities.”

These sentences form part of Operation Target, which sees police work closely with other forces and partners to tackle serious and organised crime and the harm it causes.