Five people from the same family based in Halifax who called themselves The Hardy Boys have been sent to prison after officers broke up a cocaine distribution operation serving customers throughout Calderdale.

The group, all relatives from the Pellon district of Halifax, managed a dedicated telephone line to peddle cocaine to buyers across the area.

A West Yorkshire Police investigation codenamed Operation Phoenix, which forms part of the force’s county lines response, uncovered the criminal enterprise and led to multiple arrests and confiscations earlier this year.

Relatives identified as ringleaders

Detectives established that cousins Samran Ali and Arbaaz Ali controlled the criminal network.

Both men were already incarcerated after receiving sentences in February 2025 for their part in violent unrest on Mile Cross Road in Halifax.

Officers discovered that while imprisoned, the phone line was managed by Arbaaz’s younger brother Balaval Ali alongside their uncle Atif Hussain.

Another youthful relative, Abu Chaudrey, served as a courier for the outfit, transporting cocaine to purchasers throughout Calderdale on instructions from other members.

When Samran Ali was freed on licence in December 2025, he is said to have immediately taken back command of the line. Arbaaz Ali returned to the operation following his own licence release the subsequent month.

Operation Phoenix disrupts Hardy Boys operation

Officers attached to Operation Phoenix, part of West Yorkshire Police’s Programme Precision initiative tackling serious and organised crime, executed searches at properties in Pellon on February 12.

During the operations, investigators recovered approximately £7,000 in banknotes, amounts of cocaine, electronic weighing equipment and numerous sealed bags typically used in drug distribution.

All five individuals faced charges relating to involvement in Class A drug supply.

Lengthy custodial sentences imposed

The men entered guilty pleas at Bradford Crown Court on July 3.

Arbaaz Ali, 27, residing at Queens Court in Bradford, was handed seven years, one month and 25 days behind bars.

Samran Ali, 28, from Eldroth Road in Halifax, received a six year and nine month term.

Balaval Ali, 26, and Atif Hussain, 44, both from Halifax, were each sentenced to three years and three months.

Abu Chaudrey, 26, was given a two year sentence suspended for 18 months.

Police: Group distributed substantial quantities of cocaine

Detective Inspector Helen Chapman, who leads the Operation Phoenix unit, stated the organisation was responsible for a substantial drug operation in Calderdale.

She explained that these individuals headed a significant criminal network distributing cocaine throughout the Calderdale region.

She said the men were undone by an exhaustive investigation that methodically constructed evidence of their participation, resulting in guilty pleas at court.

She continued that Class A drug distribution fuels criminal activity and aggression in neighbourhoods and causes suffering to users and their loved ones, and the substantial sentences should offer comfort to residents while deterring others who believe they can profit from peddling controlled substances without consequence.

Crackdown on county lines continues

Officers confirmed Operation Phoenix will persist in focusing on county lines networks and organised crime groups throughout West Yorkshire.

DI Chapman stated that the team would maintain a proactive stance against county lines drug activity and anticipated further achievements in disrupting and dismantling those responsible for organised crime.