Gang behind Coventry 'Turk' drugs line used code name to hide from police

A gang behind a Class A drugs network in Coventry used a code name in a bid to hide from police. They would use cars to deal drugs from, registering them under the false name of ‘Florentin Losif’ at various addresses to avoid journeys used to drop off the drugs ever being linked back to them.

Crack cocaine and heroin were transported in cars registered to ‘Florentin Losif’ but were driven by different members of the group around Coventry, Birmingham, Manchester and other parts of the country.

They also used the name ‘Florentin Losif’ when asked to give details to officers. But police investigations were well under way into the gang and car's movements which would lead to the drugs network being smashed.

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Officers from the force's county lines task force carried out a warrant at an address in Talland Avenue, Coventry, on August 23 last year, where Jyad Mohammedi, Zewar Younes, and Walid Houssain were arrested.

At the property, police found a mobile phone believed to be Turk Line's main handset. Younes was searched and found to have the keys to a safe containing a large amount of cash.

When Mohammedi and Houssain were searched, large amounts of cash were also found. Sarwat Ahmed and Shahram Karimi were arrested in the days after the warrant.

During interview, West Midlands Police said most of the group gave ‘no comment’ answers to the majority of questions. Ahmed even claimed to not even know what Class A drugs were.

However, analysis of the group’s individual mobile phones, as well as the phone used to service drug users and CCTV at key times, placing different members of the group at key locations, led to detectives being able to link them all to the Turk Line.

Text messages between Mohammedi and Houssain also showed the pair discussing the wholesale of a kilogram of cocaine. Detectives discovered much of the money was being laundered through businesses linked to Younes.

In total, the 'Turk' line which was in operation between December 2022 and August 2023, was estimated to be worth more than £500,000. All five were arrested and charged.

In court, the following sentences were given out:

• Jyad Mohammedi, aged 23, of Mansel Street, Coventry - was jailed for 11 years and 7 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

• Zewar Younes, aged 31, of no fixed abode - was jailed for nine and a half years for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

• Sarwat Ahmed, aged 22, of Eastwood, Manchester - was jailed for nine and a half years for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

• Walid Hussain, aged 23, of no fixed abode - was jailed for nine years and 11 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

• Shahram Karimi, aged 23 of The Old Yard, Coventry – was jailed for three years for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin at Warwick Crown Court on June 10.