Man jailed for operating drugs line coming into Gloucestershire from the West Midlands

A man has been jailed for his involvement in the operation of a drugs line which was coming into Gloucestershire from the West Midlands.

Zhero Samuels, aged 26 and of Newhampton Road West in Wolverhampton, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison after appearing at Gloucester Crown Court last Friday (1 November).

He was also ordered to forfeit £2855 and pay a surcharge of £228.

The Constabulary became aware of Samuels after beginning an investigation into a drug line which was operating in Cheltenham.

As part of the investigation it was found that Samuels was actively supplying Class A drugs to the Cheltenham area between August 2022 and August 2023.

On 25 August 2023, police arrested Samuels after identifying that his vehicle had travelled from Birmingham to Cheltenham multiple times.

A search of his vehicle uncovered two mobile phones, one of which was found to be used for running the drugs line in Cheltenham.

The phones were seized and it was found that drugs had been transported from Birmingham to Cheltenham on multiple occasions.

Samuels was using several phone numbers to send bulk text messages offering heroin and crack cocaine for sale. 

Additional enquiries established that three teenage girls had been recruited by Samuels to deal the drugs in Cheltenham.

The teenagers were arrested and found in possession of £2140 worth of drugs, £2855 of cash and drugs phones. No action was taken against the teenagers as they were believed to have been exploited by Samuels.

Samuels was later charged and pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin.

Investigating officer PC Damian Pearson said: “Zhero Samuels exploited other individuals into dealing drugs for him and unknown people and now that he has been jailed it stops others from being targeted by him.

“His involvement led to him being jailed and this case goes to show just how thorough our enquiries are and how determined we are in the fight against those who think they can supply and deal drugs within Gloucestershire."

Anyone who suspects drug dealing or suspicious activity is taking place in their community can report it to either Crimestoppers anonymously or police.

You can report this to police online by using the following form: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/

You can contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/