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County lines drug dealer jailed for eight years

Tanya Gupta
BBC News, West Midlands
West Mercia Police Zach Pearson in a police mugshot. He has braids in his hair and he has his head bowed but is looking at the camera.West Mercia Police
Zach Pearson, aged 19, has been jailed for eight years

A drug dealer has been jailed for eight years, bringing the county lines operation he was involved in to an end, police have said.

Zach Pearson, 19, formerly of Washington Street, Kidderminster, was sentenced earlier after pleading guilty to drugs and firearms offences at Worcester Crown Court.

County lines refers to the name of a phone number or "deal-line" used to run a drug-dealing network. Pearson was involved in the EMZ line, later known as the MJ line, West Mercia Police said.

After the hearing, Det Con Paul Modley said illegal drugs brought "misery and harm", adding: "His arrest and conviction not only mean the line is terminated but also a viable firearm has been taken off the streets."

West Mercia Police A gun is photographed next to a ruler with measurements. The photograph, taken by police, has the force logo on it.West Mercia Police
Police said a viable firearm had been taken off the streets

Pearson was initially arrested on 12 September at a property in Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester, after reports he was supplying class A drugs there.

A search of the building uncovered a handgun wrapped in a plastic bag in the kitchen and live ammunition.

On 19 September, police carried out a safeguarding check on a drug user in Crickley Drive, Worcester, and a balaclava-wearing Pearson attempted to escape through a living room window, officers said.

Police seized £1,470 in cash from his pocket, drugs paraphernalia and a phone containing text messages about drugs for sale.

West Mercia Police A close-up of ammunition held by a person wearing a purple glove. The photograph, taken by police, has the force logo on it.West Mercia Police
Pearson admitted firearms and drugs offences

On 3 October, as officers carried out a warrant at a property in Brookthorpe Close, Worcester, they found Pearson in the toilet with the light off, potentially attempting to dispose of drugs.

Police said he had with him a black bag containing crack cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of about £6,800.

Pearson admitted being involved in the supply of Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of an illegal firearm, and possession of prohibited ammunition.

He also pleaded guilty to acquiring or using criminal property, for which he was given a 12-month jail term to run concurrently with the eight-year term.

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