A county lines drug dealer who kept an illegal gun at an address he was selling crack and heroin from has been sentenced at Worcester Crown Court today (Thursday 5 June) to a total of eight years.

Zach Pearson, 19, formerly of Washington Street, Kidderminster, was found guilty of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug – crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply a class A drug – heroin, possession of an illegal firearm and possession of prohibited ammunition.

Pearson was involved in the EMZ county line, later known as the MJ line, that were advertising the sale of crack cocaine and heroin. A county line is the name of the telephone number, or ‘deal line’, used to run an organised drug-dealing network.

He was first arrested in the early hours of Thursday 12 September 2024, at an address in Cranham Drive, Warndon, Worcester, after reports he was suspected to be supplying class A drugs from the property.

On Friday 13 September 2024, a police search advisor (PolSA) led search was carried out at the same address.

During a search of the kitchen, a handgun was located that was wrapped up in a plastic bag. This was confirmed to be a viable firearm with a magazine containing live ammunition and was forensically linked to Pearson and he was later charged with the illegal weapons offences.

Around a week later, on Thursday 19 September 2024, a safeguarding check was carried out at an address on Crickley Drive, Worcester relating to a local class A drug user.

As police conducted the check, a balaclava-wearing Pearson attempted to escape through a living room window but was detained by officers a short distance away following a foot chase. 

Police seized £1,470 cash from his trouser pocket and drugs paraphernalia including a burner style phone which contained text messages sent out by him offering crack cocaine and heroin for sale.

As a result of intelligence gained, officers executed a misuse of drugs warrant an address on Brookthorpe Close, Worcester on Thursday 3 October 2024. 

Pearson was found in the toilet, with the light off, potentially attempting to dispose of drugs down the toilet.

He was caught wearing a black bag over his shoulder that contained crack cocaine and heroin which had an estimated street value of around £6,800.

Pearson was later charged with the two drugs offences and two firearms offences. He was further charged with the acquisition or use of criminal property during the investigation, for which he was sentenced to a total of 12 months to run concurrently.

Investigating officer DC Paul Modley, of South Worcestershire Proactive CID, said: “We are pleased to get this lengthy custodial sentence today for Pearson who was operating a county line drug dealing network.

“His arrest and conviction not only mean the line is terminated, but also a viable firearm has been taken off the streets further protecting the public from potential danger.

“Criminals like Pearson are rightly pursued and brought to justice by West Mercia Police as the illegal drugs they sell reap misery and harm on the communities we are here to protect and serve.

“We will not cease in our efforts to hunt his kind down, bring them before the courts and disrupt and close their county lines.”

This investigation forms part of Operation Target – West Mercia Police’s work to tackle serious and organised crime. New operation launched to target serious and organised crime | West Mercia Police )