Leading gang member given lengthy sentence for drugs conspiracy

A county lines drugs boss who was believed to play a major part in the supply of illegal drugs in Calderdale has been jailed for 18 years.

Khumran Mohammed Taj, aged 41, operated the meticulously organised “Billy Line,” employing multiple vehicles to evade detection. However, his operation was caught when he was intercepted during two police stops in the Halifax area in 2021.

In January 2022, following information obtained from the police operation in West Yorkshire, officers conducted a raid at an address in Chester Avenue, Luton, where they arrested Taj. In the trunk of a nearby parked car, they discovered more than 2,000 packages containing Class A drugs, with an estimated value of up to £385,000.

During a hearing at Bradford Crown Court recently, it was disclosed that police officers confiscated nearly seven kilograms of heroin along with a substantial amount of “cutting agents” intended to increase the quantity and profits of the drugs. Taj’s seized phones also revealed his connections to other drug dealers. Recorder Alex Menary admitted that the criminal activities involving the trafficking of Class A drugs were at a highly serious and sophisticated level.

The court was told by prosecutor Lydia Pearce that in December 2011, Taj, who participated in the proceedings via a prison video link, had previously been sentenced to nine years in prison for the distribution of heroin and cocaine.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Craig Collins, 48, a resident at Alloe Field View, Illingworth, along with another Halifax individual who failed to appear in court for sentencing, had been directed by Taj to engage in drug dealing on the streets.

Miss Pearce revealed that the “Billy Line” was inundated with an average of over 400 calls or messages daily. The two individuals from Halifax had been enlisted to handle the delivery and sale of Class A drugs on behalf of the boss.

Collins’ lawyer, Ella Embleton, argued that he had relapsed into Class A drug use due to a medical condition and had, to some extent, been taken advantage of by Taj. She explained that Collins had been diagnosed with cancer and had one of his kidneys removed in July of the current year. Embleton emphasised that his health was not in good condition, and he had concerns about the potential consequences of a prison sentence.

Recorder Alex Menary stated that he was issuing sentences to the defendants for their involvement in an extensive and highly organised operation that spanned both Luton and the streets and alleyways of West Yorkshire. Taj and Collins both pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the distribution of Class A drugs, with Taj also admitting to drug supply offenses associated with his Luton operation.

As part of the sentence, the judge imposed a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order on Taj, aimed at restricting his activities following his release from prison.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Chris Bailey, of the Calderdale District Precision Team, said: “Taj was the principal member of an organised crime group (OCG) who was responsible for supplying a large quantity of class A drugs within the Calderdale area.

“I hope that this sentencing sends a clear message to those involved in the supply of illegal drugs in the Calderdale area, that we are actively pursuing you and will continue to work with our partners to bring you before the courts.”