Birmingham Drug Boss Jailed for Exploiting Newport Addicts

A ruthless Birmingham drugs boss who “grossly exploited” two drug addicts to sell 2kg of heroin in Newport has been jailed for more than 12 years. ⚖️

Jake Clarke, 31, set up the “Brummie Line” and used Christopher Morgan, 40, and Rachael Butler, 37, to supply class A drugs, making frequent trips between the West Midlands and South Wales – sometimes daily – and staying in Newport hotels whilst conducting his illegal business.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Clarke “exploited, manipulated and abused” Morgan, taking over his Caerau Road home after Morgan owed him a drug debt. Morgan was warned: “You don’t want to p**s me off.”

Prosecutor Dan Jones told the court: “Clarke was the man at the top and he would clearly set out the roles the other defendants would play in this conspiracy. He exercised a high degree control over Mr Morgan.”

Butler was given the role of “accountant”, collecting cash from drug debts because Morgan couldn’t be trusted around money.

A fourth defendant, Katie Saunders, 30, from Birmingham, was found with 434g of cocaine and 35g of heroin at her home.

Judge Lucy Crowther said: “Clarke was leading and directing this drugs line. He was very demanding and expected Mr Morgan to sell £1,500 worth of drugs a day. You were all grossly exploited.”

Sentences:

• Clarke (Southacre Avenue, Birmingham): 12 years and 6 months
• Morgan (Caerau Road, Newport): 3 years and 8 months
• Saunders and Butler: 2 years suspended for 2 years, with unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements

Clarke is a third-strike class A drug dealer, previously jailed in 2017 and 2021. The offences took place between 1st November 2024 and 21st March 2025.