‘Ring and Bring’ Drug Dealers jailed after Police Sting

Four “ring and bring” drug dealers from Bradford were jailed for a total of over 14 years following a major police sting.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the sting involved a female undercover officer posing as a drug addict. The police operation focused on the Leeds Road, Barkerend and Manningham areas of Bradford.

On December 6, 2019, four drug dealers were jailed, however, a total of 18 defendants appeared in court over their alleged roles selling heroin and crack cocaine in major drugs rackets which included the Sully Line, the Smokes Line and the Tommy Line.

Bilal Ali, aged 21, of Girlington, was jailed for four years for moving drugs for the Sully Line in April and May 2019.

He admitted to two counts of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and two counts of supplying them to undercover officer “Emily”.

Alisha Kaye, prosecuting, said that Ali was driving a Ford Focus on April 12 when he supplied wraps of crack cocaine and heroin in Manningham.

On May 9 and 10, he was a passenger in a VW Golf on Manningham Lane when he sold the drugs to Emily.

Miss Kaye explained that Ali was in charge of the Sully Line that day and had £223 worth of drugs on him.

Ali had been of previous good character. He was a former hospital security guard who later worked as a warehouse staff member at Morrisons.

His barrister, Jonathan Turner, said he was drug dealing to pay off a debt. Ali was married and a father. He is now clear of drugs.

Azad Khan, aged 22, of Laisterdyke, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for supplying Class A drugs in February 2019.

Miss Kaye said he operated on the Smokes Line in the Leeds Road area, dealing from a vehicle.

Andrew Dallas, defending, said that his client had no previous convictions and was homeless at the time. Khan has been dealing to pay off a cannabis debt.

Mr Dallas added: “It is tragic that he has let himself down in this way.”

Ibrahim Shah, aged 20, whose address was given as HMP Doncaster, admitted to 11 charges of supplying Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin between January and August 2019.

He received a prison sentence of four years and 10 months. Shah had dealt for the Tommy Line on Sunbridge Road.

Miss Kaye stated that Shah offered a “buy one get one free” deal in drugs to the undercover officer. Emily also received texts advertising the sale of drugs. Shah had sold drugs to Emily on several streets.

He was arrested on April 7 and found with over 30 wraps of Class A drugs. At his home, more than 70 wraps were found inside clothing.

Shah was released under police investigation only to be caught dealing in the city centre on August 29. He had 11 wraps on him, with some of 95% purity.

His barrister, Mr Turner, explained that he worked at a warehouse until he started using Class A drugs and fell into debt.

Shah was then expected to deal and take phone calls for the Tommy Line.

Shah sold drugs to addicts and not luring people into using them for the first time.

He was jailed for four years. Shah received another 10 months for breaching a suspended sentence order for burglary.

Shahbaaz Khan, aged 22, of Little Horton, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and one count of selling heroin to Emily.

It was heard that he worked with Shah on the Tommy Line. The drug dealers had been together when the drugs were supplied to Emily.

He received 32 months in prison as well as a further two months for breaching a community order.

Khan’s cannabis addiction had gone out of control and he was told to sell drugs to pay the debt off. He had fallen into the wrong crowd but made amends and was working at a takeaway.

Judge Jonathan Rose said that Shah and Khan were given drugs “on tick” without realising they would have to deal on the streets to pay for them.

Judge Rose said:

“The only way to fund Class A drug addiction is crime and the decent citizens of this city, and others, end up paying.”

The Telegraph and Argus reported that the other defendants had their sentences adjourned for probation reports or denied the allegations. Their cases were adjourned for trial.