A GANG that shipped class A drugs into Worcester from Birmingham will serve 27 years and 11 months in jail.

Christopher James Franklin, Asgar Ali Khalfe, Shakur Abdul Hussain and Terry Melsom set up a 'production line' bringing cocaine and heroin from a flat in Birmingham onto the streets of Worcester.

The four appeared at Hereford Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 18 July) where they were sentenced following an investigation by Worcester CID as part of Operation Blade.

Operation Blade is an ongoing investigation into the supply of drugs from large cities into Worcester, something known as county lines crime.

Franklin, 35, of Barbourne Road, Worcester, and Melsom, 22, of no fixed abode but originally from Worcester, were arrested on October 16 last year after plain clothes officers spotted them behaving suspiciously in Shrubbery Road, Worcester.

They fled the scene in a car driven by Frankin which collided with one of the officers trying to arrest them. The officer suffered serious leg injuries that required surgery.

Following a police pursuit, Franklin and Melsom were arrested near to Worcester race course.

A short time later, a taxi was spotted making its way from Franklin's house. Police stopped the taxi and arrested Khalfe, 33, of Townley Gardens, Birmingham, and Hussain, 38, of Compton Road, Worcester. They also seized cash made from the sale of drugs.

Investigations led officers back to a flat in Birmingham where the drugs were being prepared before being shipped to Worcester.

The sentences are as follows:

Christopher James Franklin, age 35, of Barbourne Road, Worcester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and for wounding an officer. He was sentenced to serve 5 ½ years consecutively and is disqualified from driving for 45 months with an extended re-test, to start upon release from prison.Asgar Ali Khalfe

Asgar Ali Khalfe, age 33, of Townley Gardens, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, production of crack cocaine and possession of criminal property. He will serve 12 years concurrently in prison.Shakur Abdul Hussain

Shakur Abdul Hussain, age 38, of Compton Road, Worcester pleaded not guilty and was found guilty by jury to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and possession of criminal property. He was sentenced to serve 4 years concurrently in prison.

Terry Melsom, aged 22, of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin. He was sentenced to serve 77 months concurrently in prison.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Tony Garner said: "Franklin, Khalfe, Hussain, and Melsom set up a production line, moving drugs from a flat in Birmingham to the streets of Worcester. This wasn't low level street dealing, these are hardened drug dealers who made a substantial amount of money at the expense of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

"This was a typical county lines drugs setup; drugs were being prepared in a large city, in this case Birmingham, and shipped into a smaller city, Worcester. Their activities were brought to a halt thanks to some excellent proactive police work.

"I would like to pay tribute to all the officers involved in this investigation, especially the detective who was injured bravely attempting to arrest Franklin and Melsom. This demonstrates the dangers our officers face every day in their efforts to protect people from harm.

"County lines drugs supply is a growing problem in our community; hopefully, yesterday's sentencing will send out a strong message that we are being proactive in tackling the problem and serve as a warning to others who are thinking of dealing drugs in Worcester."

Operation Blade is an ongoing effort to tackle county lines drugs coming into Worcester from bigger cities. If you have any information about the supply of drugs in the town you can report it on 101.

Detective Inspector Garner added: "This is an ongoing operation and every piece of information we receive helps us to build up a better picture of the problems we face. The smallest piece of information could lead to us closing down a supply of drugs into the town and bring those responsible to justice."

People can also provide information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

* A full and more detailed, exclusive court report will be published in tomorrow's Worcester News.