A DRUG dealer has been warned not to set up a third county line after his first two were dismantled.
Since at least March 11 until 23 June 2025, the Rico and Harry county lines were supplying cocaine and heroin into Leamington 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 June 23 2025, after following a number of leads, officers turned up at the house of Louis Steane, aged 30, in Leamington – where the car of Peter Tegede, aged 23, 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.
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, Warwickshire Police arrested Jason Rodgers, aged 37, who was another known runner for the 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, aged 50, to supply the drugs and to operate the county line at night while Tegede was under curfew.
On August 13 2025, 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 May 1 2026, Tegede, of Theatre Street in Warwick, 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, of Spencer Street in Leamington, was jailed for four years and seven months for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack.
On July 1, Steane, of Rugby Road in Leamington, was jailed for six years for possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
On June 15, Ross Myles, of Clare Close in Leamington, was jailed for three years for being concerned in the supply of crack and heroin.
Investigating officer DC Harvey said “We hope that Tegede will not be foolish enough to attempt a third line when he is released.”
