Grinning Drug Dealer who Thought he was ‘Untouchable’ Jailed

Drug dealer, Iftekhar Hussain, aged 20, of Derby, has been sentenced to three years behind bars after pleading guilty to charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

Derby Crown Court heard how Hussain and two other men were first caught when a search of a Honda Civic in the Normanton area of the city was carried out on September 9, 2020.

Cocaine worth between £250 and £500 was uncovered in a yellow plastic container and a further search of his home found more of the Class A drug in a glass jar with a street value of £1,750.

The homes of the vehicle’s driver, Hedar Shah, aged 27, and the other passenger, Bilal Mustafa, aged 21, who had tried to get out of the car and walk away at the time, were also searched.

Three cannabis plants were found at Shah’s address.

During his sentencing hearing, Hussain was told how charges would only be brought against him if further matters came to light.

Prosecutor Jeanette Stevenson explained:

“The defendants were released, however [they were told], if further evidence came to light, charges would be looked at again.

“On February 8, 2021, police attended the home address of Hussain where two mobile phones were seized.

“On them was evidence he had been sending out mass marketing messages from a drugs line.”

Judge Shaun Smith QC told Hussain: “You are 20 years of age and you have been in trouble before – trouble for drugs.

“This time you decided you were going to dip your toes in the pond, dealing class A drugs.

“The problem that you have got is that you thought you were untouchable because you were arrested and released and you carried on.

“And that’s a significant aggravating feature in your case.”

Hussain has previous convictions for possession and intent to supply cannabis.

His barrister, James Turner, said his client was still a young man and had “reaped no rewards such as expensive trainers and clothing” as a result of the criminal activity.

Turner added: “It was foolish behaviour to continue offending after he was [first] arrested.

“That’s immaturity and in his mind he was rather untouchable.”

“He thought he had got away with it and that bolstered his confidence.”

Derby Telegraph reported that Hussain was jailed for three years.

Meanwhile, Mustafa was handed a 12-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to charges of possession of cannabis and possession of a bladed article.

As part of the suspended sentence, he must carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

Shah will be sentenced for his drug offences in January 2022.