County Lines crackdown leads to 12 convictions

County Lines drug dealing continues to be one of the most complex challenges facing Surrey Police and Sussex Police.

At the forefront of tackling this threat is our Centurion team, a group of highly specialised individuals formed in September 2020 to coordinate our forces’ response.   

Seeing cases from initial intelligence gathering through to sentencing, Centurion identifies key players, compiles evidence and collaborates with the Metropolitan Police’s adjacent unit to dismantle drug supply networks - not just those operating on the street.  

Centurion recently concluded their investigation into a Class A drug supply network operating in East Surrey and the surrounding areas. The operation resulted in 12 men being sentenced to a combined total of over 47 years in prison.   

The network was identified following the arrests of Sami Joseph, 28 of Horley and Kane Perkins, 25 of no fixed abode, in September and December 2024.   

Investigation into their devices uncovered conversations in relation to drugs and money owed with an individual known as ‘Yas’.  

Further enquiries and intelligence revealed ‘Yas’ as Yassin Siyahla, 32 of Redhill, a lead member of the network. He was arrested in January 2025.  

Evidence implicating other people was recovered from his devices, including messages boasting about the quality of their product and the large quantities in their possession.   

The network was so wide that some members had no contact or knowledge of the other defendants involved.  

After multiple phases of arrests, 12 men have now been convicted and sentenced as follows:   

   

• Yassin Siyahla, 32 (DOB: 25/03/1993) of Redhill, known to his co-conspirators as Yas. He was identified as a lead member of the network, supplying cocaine and hash at a wholesale level. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to nine years.   

• Sami Joseph, 31 (DOB: 06/05/1994) of Horley, was the marketing man. He would share menus and price lists of what people could buy, using his phone as a drug line to supply. Joseph pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to four years.   

• Harry Stockwell, 28 (DOB: 29/09/1997) of Reigate, conspired with Joseph and spoke about how to run the business. When simultaneous warrants were conducted, Joseph  was found at Stockwell’s address and they were arrested together. Stockwell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to two years and three months.   

• Mehdi Hasan Ali, 32 (DOB: 28/04/1993) of Horley, was identified through the examination of devices. Messages on his phone showed he supplied wholesale amounts of cocaine to Joseph. Ali pleaded guilty conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to five years and eight months.   

• Amin Werfalli, 34 (DOB:15/09/1991) of Kensington, conspired to purchase a kilogram of cocaine from Siyalah for over £30,000, and was saved in the lead members phone as ‘project management’. Werfalli was found of guilty conspiring to supply cocaine and was sentenced to four years.   

   

The following seven people were all sentenced for conspiracy to supply:   

   

• Jake Dansie, 27 (DOB: 28/09/1998) of Redhill, pleaded guilty conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to three years and six months.   

• Yasin Halgane, 36 (DOB: 30/09/1989) of Southwark, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of ketamine and cannabis and was sentenced to five years and four months.   

• Danny Sayer, 26 (DOB: 14/11/1999) of Farnham, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis and was sentenced to four years and four months.    

• Lee Turner, 32 (DOB: 24/03/1993) of Horley, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply class A, PWITS class B cannabis, concerned in the supply cannabis and possession of offensive weapon. He was sentenced to three years and eight months.   

• Ahmed Mohamud, 31 (DOB:16/05/1994) of Kensington, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was sentenced to three years and nine months.   

• Ryan Howell, 34 (DOB: 16/07/1991) of High Wycombe, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class B, cannabis and was sentenced to two years.   

• Kane Perkins, 25 (DOB: 19/12/2000) of no fixed abode, was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was sentenced to eight months.   

   

Judges use national guidelines to ensure that those who direct or organise drug lines receive heavier penalties, while those with lesser roles receive proportionate sentences. The evidence gathered during the investigation determines where each individual sits within that framework.   

   

PC David Oliver, of the Centurion team, said:   

“This investigation was only possible through the close collaboration between Surrey Police, Sussex Police and the Metropolitan Police.    

“Those involved in County Lines operations are part of a criminal system that exploits vulnerable people and brings significant harm to our communities.    

“Every day, our teams work to identify offenders, disrupt their networks and protect those at risk, and this case demonstrates that no matter how long it takes, we will find those responsible.   

“As a Force, we remain committed to tackling drug related crime and safeguarding those who are targeted by these networks.    

“Public information plays a crucial role in helping us tackle drug lines, and we are grateful for the continued support from our communities.    

“If you have concerns about drug dealing or believe someone is being exploited, please report it to us. If you prefer not to speak directly to police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously.”   

For more information about how to spot and report drug dealing in your community, click here https://www.surrey.police.uk/.../advice.../cl/county-lines/