Four Men Jailed for Running Massive Norwich County Lines Drug Operation
Four men have been sentenced at Norwich Crown Court for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin via one of Norwich’s longest-running County Lines drug networks.
Heavy Jail Terms for Dealers
- Mohamed Tiet, 26, of Beaumont Road, London, got 4 years and 4 months behind bars.
- Sami Kaid, 23, of Vicarage Road, London, was handed 4 years and 6 months.
- Karim Kaid, 21, from London, landed 4½ years in a Young Offenders Institute.
- Hanad Salah, 21, of Domfe Place, London, was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in a young offender facility.
Earlier, all four pleaded guilty to running the notorious Ace County Line in Norwich between May and December 2020.
Operation Orochi Snuffs Out County Line
The Ace County Line was shut down thanks to a joint probe by Norfolk Constabulary’s County Lines Team and the Metropolitan Police under Operation Orochi, which uses mobile phone data to locate networks operating from London to smaller counties like Norfolk.
Police swooped on December 16, 2020, raiding multiple addresses in London and Norwich. Sami and Karim Kaid were arrested outside a Norwich property, with phones and over £700 cash seized. Hanad Salah was arrested in London’s Domfe Place, and Mohamed Tiet was picked up later at a London address on Hows Street.
Children Exploited as Drug Runners
Analysis of seized phones exposed the gang’s use of five children to ferry drugs between London and Norwich. Two teens—a 16-year-old and 17-year-old—were charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. The 16-year-old got 21 months in a Young Offenders Institute, with 15 months suspended. Three other 15-year-old boys arrested were released with no further action.
“This investigation has not only closed down one of Norwich’s longest-running County Lines but will also help prevent further exploitation of children by these crooks,” said DC Burton of the Serious Crime Disruption Team.
He added: “We know County Lines operators target children and vulnerable communities, but we will keep working tirelessly to dismantle these criminal networks and protect our communities.”
