Warwickshire Drug Lines Busted in Major Operation

Two regional county drug lines have been dismantled following an investigation by our Serious Organised Crime team. The Rico and Harry county lines were supplying cocaine and heroin into Leamington Spa and Warwick from at least 11 March until 23 June 2025.

County Line Operations and Initial Arrests

A county line is a phone number used for the sale of drugs, and mass messages were sent from these phones relating to the sale of drugs. On 23 June, officers turned up at the house of Louis Steane, 30, in Leamington Spa, where the car of Peter Tegede, 23, the owner of the line, was parked.

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.

Arrests and Evidence Discovery

Later that day, Jason Rodgers, 37, another known runner for the line, was arrested. A receipt for a pawn shop in Leamington was discovered, and 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 operate the county line at night while Tegede was under curfew.

Subsequent Arrests and Convictions

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

Further Convictions and Public Statement

On 1 July, Louis 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 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.”

Source and Verification

The information in this report is sourced from the Warwickshire Police Newsroom. The details of the operation, arrests, and convictions are confirmed by the police department and are based on official statements and records. The source can be verified through the provided URL: https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/news/warwickshire/news/2026/july/rico-and-harry-drug-lines-busted-by-serious-organised-crime-team/