Two regional county drug lines have been dismantled following an investigation by Warwickshire Police's Serious Organised Crime team.

Three Leamington Spa men are among those jailed for their part in the organised crime ring.

Since at least 11 March until 23 June 2025, the Rico and Harry county lines were supplying cocaine and heroin into Leamington Spa and Warwick.

A county line is a phone number which is used for the sale of drugs.

Mass messages were sent from the phones with messages relating to the sale of drugs.

On 23 June, after following a number of leads, officers turned up at the house of Louis Steane, 30, on Rugby Road, Leamington Spa – where the car of Peter Tegede, 23, of Theatre Street in Warwick, the owner of the line, was parked up outside.

When detectives entered the property, Tegede dropped two mobile phones onto the floor, as well as a large quantity of money.

One of Tegede's phones had just received a text from the Harry line – "GET OUT WINDOW".

Steane was searched and found to be in possession of £6,730 worth of cocaine, crack, and heroin – as well as a phone operating the Harry line.

Later that day, police arrested Jason Rodgers, 37, of Spencer Street in Leamington Spa, who was another known runner for the line.

A receipt for a pawn shop in Leamington was discovered – the phone sold was later tracked down, and found to match one of the phones used for the Harry line.

Steane, Tegede, and Rodgers were charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and Tegede was released on bail with an electronic tag.

Despite this, Tegede immediately re-established his drugs line – now called the Rico line - utilising Ross Myles, 50, to supply the drugs and to operate the county line at night while Tegede was under curfew.

On 13 August, officers spotted Tegede walking from Sydenham with a rucksack. Tegede attempted to run, but was quickly arrested, with the search turning up a phone with the Rico line, and £10,700 worth of crack, heroin, and cocaine.

On 1 May 2026, Tegede was jailed for six years and seven months for possession with intent to supply and being concerned with the supply of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, as well as being in possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct – namely, £1,365 in cash.

Rodgers was jailed for four years and seven months for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack.

On 1 July, Steane was jailed for six years for possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

On 15 June, Ross Myles, of Clare Close in Leamington Spa, was jailed for three years for being concerned in the supply of crack and heroin.

Investigating officer DC Harvey said "Heroin, crack, and cocaine are a blight on our communities, and leave blood trails the world over through their production and importation.

"These men were profiting from this misery, and the sheer gall of Tegede in immediately setting up another line while already facing charges shows tremendous disrespect to the community and the law.

"We hope that Tegede will not be foolish enough to attempt a third line when he is released."