Brothers jailed for running 'Max' County Line drugs network

Two brothers from Bradford have been jailed for leading an organised crime group that supplied Class A drugs across county lines into East Lancashire.

The "Max" drug line was dismantled following an investigation by Lancashire Constabulary, which began after a minor collision involving an e-bike. Officers searching a 17-year-old rider discovered 55 wraps of Class A drugs, cash, and a burner-style phone that was ringing consistently.

The County Lines Operation

The investigation revealed that the "Max" line was headed by Danyal Rafiq, 29, and Mohammed Rafiq, 26. The brothers managed the operation from Bradford, using middle managers and street dealers to deliver heroin and crack cocaine.

To avoid police detection, the group ensured their delivery vehicles were fully taxed, insured, and MOT'd to appear as legitimate road users. They also recruited teenagers, including one as young as 14, to act as street runners.

In May 2025, police conducted a "strike" day, executing simultaneous warrants at multiple addresses. Analysis of seized devices uncovered five different phone numbers connected to the drug line and evidence of mass batch messages sent to hundreds of potential customers.

Sentences Imposed

The following individuals were sentenced at court last week:

Danyal Rafiq, 29, of Wheatley Grove, Bradford: Jailed for 12 years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Mohammed Rafiq, 26, of Wheatley Grove, Bradford: Jailed for seven years after being found guilty of conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Mohammed Zafran, 32, of Quebec Road, Blackburn: Jailed for six years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Richard Beresford, 44, of Sandfield Road, Bacup: Jailed for four years after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Daniel Morgan, 45, of Queen Street, Bacup: Jailed for three years after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Police Statement DS Stu Peall, of East CID, said:

“The Rafiq brothers worked together to run the ‘Max’ line. They controlled the operations and those working for them, including their right-hand-man Mohammed Zafran.

Those involved in the ‘Max’ line targeted vulnerable people, using teenagers to deal the drugs to vulnerable people across two counties. They did all of this with the intention of making money for themselves.”

Lancashire Constabulary reaffirmed that such criminality will not be tolerated and encouraged the public to report concerns regarding organised crime via 101 or their online portal.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This article is based on an official press release issued by a Police Force. Document: News Source Link

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