“These drugs often end up in the hands of County Lines"
Two Bradford-based drug dealers have been jailed for a combined total of 12 years and eight months after £3 million worth of heroin and approximately £130,000 in cash were seized.
Leeds Crown Court heard that the drugs and money were seized as part of an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
At a hearing in November 2019, Yusuf Kara, aged 30, Lidget Green, Bradford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering.
Ashraf Khan, aged 31, of no fixed abode but formerly of Bradford admitted money laundering.
The court heard that on Thursday, October 17, 2019, Khan was spotted driving his Citroen Berlingo van to Whinbrook Gardens, Leeds, where he pulled up next to a grey Peugeot, which was being driven by Kara.
Kara went to the boot of the vehicle and took out a black bin bag. He then put it into the back of the van before both men drove away. It was later confirmed that the bag contained a quantity of cash.
Later that day, officers stopped Khan on Rasbottom Street, Bolton. They discovered around £130,000 in cash concealed under a false floor in the van.
Khan was subsequently arrested at the scene. It was heard that he was previously convicted for possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
On Shearbridge Road, Bradford, Kara was arrested and officers executed a search of his house.
Inside, they found 56 packages of heroin hidden in bags and a suitcase. Each heroin package weighed 1 kilogram, with a street value of £3 million.
Along with the NCA, the investigation was supported by West Yorkshire Police.
NCA Operations Manager Jo Broadbent said:
“The seizure of this significant amount of heroin is a big step towards protecting the public from the damage and devastation drugs cause.
“These drugs often end up in the hands of County Lines networks, where they fuel violence and the exploitation of young and vulnerable people.
“This significant amount of drugs haven’t made their way to the streets and the criminals behind them are behind bars.”
“Tackling drug trafficking is one of our highest priorities, and the NCA will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue and disrupt offenders.”
On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, the two drug dealers were sentenced to prison.
Yusuf Kara was sentenced to 10 years and four months in prison. Ashraf Khan received a 28-month prison sentence.
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