County Lines Drug Dealer Busted in Early Morning Raid
Police have nailed Eugene Brannigan as the crook behind the “Big Ali” hotline, which sold heroin and crack cocaine across Birmingham. The 27-year-old was caught red-handed in a surprise dawn raid at his Lombard Street apartment on 7 January.
Brannigan was arrested in bed, stunned and asking, “How did you get in?” Little did he know, cops had been tracking his drug network since last September. They uncovered more than £55,000 worth of drugs moved through his line, traced him to the studio flat, and even got hold of a key to his door.
Crack Cocaine Lab Discovered at Birmingham Flat
Investigations revealed Brannigan was supplying drugs all over Balsall Heath and Birmingham city centre. Although he initially refused to hand over his phone PIN — and even tried to hide the hotline by switching the handset’s IMEI sticker — police hacked into his phone. They found he spammed drug deals to nearly 90 customers.
Worse still, officers uncovered evidence Brannigan was cooking crack cocaine right in his flat. The dealer, from Woodville Road, Birmingham, later admitted to supplying Class A drugs.
Nearly Seven Years Behind Bars for Birmingham Dealer
On Friday 25 February at Birmingham Crown Court, Brannigan was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. Detective Constable James Clarke, from the County Lines Task Force, said:
“People might expect us to smash our way in, but when we have a key, it gives us the element of surprise. This jail term shows how seriously the courts treat organised drug supply.”
He added Brannigan was directing others to deliver drugs, highlighting the brutal County Lines system, which exploits vulnerable young people for profit and puts lives at risk.
“County Lines ruins lives. We’re determined to hunt down those who treat vulnerable people as commodities for greed.”
Police Keep Fighting County Lines Crime
This case underlines the ruthless tactics gangs use and the relentless police efforts to dismantle dangerous networks. Thanks to solid intelligence work and quick action, Brannigan’s criminal enterprise is shut down—and his customers lost their dealer.
