Sweet deal turns sour: Two jailed for Fredo line drug distribution

Mohammed Asif (04/01/2003) and Mohammed Muneeb Asif (27/12/2000) both of Barlow Road, Manchester were sentenced to 36 and 32 months respectively at Manchester Crown Court on Friday 15 December 2023, for their involvement in a County Lines organised operation involving gangs and criminal networks in exploiting illegal drugs into different areas of the country.

Using a dedicated prepay mobile phone line under the term ‘FREDO’ in the Longsight and Levenshulme area.

Both were charged back in April 2023 with possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply after a warrant was conducted on Barlow Road in Manchester where over a kilogram of Class A drugs and bulking agents was found along with other paraphernalia and equipment to suggest drug dealing and an estimated street value of £100,000.

A further search located the mobile phone used to facilitate this supply.

Using the phone line to submit ‘flare’ messages to advertise the use of drugs and stock to supply, showing active communications from August 2022 to around 100 contacts and believed to be used before that date.

Messages such as “POWER BOTH FREDO DROPS ALL DAY” and others stating an addresses postcode which linked it back to both Asif’s.

Further phone evidence data showed over 8,500 messages sent and over 6,500 messages being received, with over 8,500 calls made and over 25,000 being received. The incoming calls far outweighing the outgoing which is a key sign of a drugs line.

PC Andy Shaw of Greater Manchester Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Group County Lines team said; “After a meticulous investigation we have managed to secure sentences for two more key members involved in a large scale drugs supply across our city.

“County Lines operation involves the exploitation of children and vulnerable adults to store drugs and move money as well as weapons through coercion, intimidation and violence.

“Both Asif brothers did this blazingly and with no regards for the safety of the public.

“At GMP we will continue to act on intelligence and bring known drug dealers to justice by ensuring we combat County Lines operations as it brings a whole host of serious crimes being committed for an individual’s gain and pure greed to fund an illegitimate lifestyle.”