R v Zh

This case arose from Operation Peacemaker, a Greater Manchester Police investigation into a County Line drug operation. Our client faced several charges relating to the supply of Class A drugs and possessing cannabis with intent. He pleaded guilty to all counts on the basis that he acted as a street-level runner and occasional line holder under instruction from others. The defendant was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment following full mitigation.

Greater Manchester Police’s County Line Team investigated a regional drug line under Operation Peacemaker. Officers gathered telecommunications data, cell site analysis, and CCTV footage, indicating that the defendant acted as a runner and sometimes as the line holder. The prosecution alleged supply of cocaine, crack cocaine, diamorphine (all Class A drugs), and possession of cannabis (Class B) with intent, as well as possessing criminal property.
The client pleaded guilty on the basis that his involvement was at street level, acting under the instruction of others. Defence submissions emphasised that he was neither a controller nor organiser, but performed a limited, subordinate role within the operation. The court accepted this basis of plea, distinguishing between street-level activity and leadership of the line.

Our criminal defence team represented the defendant throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Lead Solicitor Fosia Jury scrutinised the prosecution's evidence base, including telecommunications data, cell site analysis, and CCTV material. We negotiated a plea to all counts on the agreed factual basis that the defendant operated as a runner, holder, and occasional operator of the line under instructions from others, rather than as a controlling or leading figure. We prepared and presented detailed mitigation highlighting the defendant's limited, subordinate role within the wider operation. We instructed specialist external counsel from 6 Pump Court Chambers and 9 Lincoln's Court to ensure expert advocacy at each stage.

The defendant faced the following five counts:

• Being Concerned in Supplying a Controlled Drug of Class A (Cocaine)
• Being Concerned in Supplying a Controlled Drug of Class A (Crack Cocaine)
• Being Concerned in Supplying a Controlled Drug of Class A (Diamorphine)
• Possessing a Controlled Drug of Class B with Intent (Cannabis)
• Possessing Criminal Property
  He entered guilty pleas to all counts after legal advice and full consideration of the evidence, with mitigation arguing runner and subordinate status.

Our criminal defence team represented the defendant through both investigation and proceedings. The team, including Fosia Jury as lead solicitor, closely scrutinised the prosecution’s evidence—telecommunications data, cell site records, and CCTV.We negotiated guilty pleas to all counts on the agreed basis that the defendant acted under instructions and operated as a runner and line holder rather than in a leading role. We developed and presented detailed mitigation, focusing on the client’s limited and subordinate involvement. We instructed specialist external counsel from 6 Pump Court Chambers and 9 Lincoln’s Court to support advocacy at each stage.