POLICE CATCH DEALER RED-HANDED IN RAID

Man jailed after officers search home twice in two months

POLICE raided the home of a heroin dealer – as one of his customers was being handed drugs through the bathroom window.

It was the second time Staffordshire Police had searched Raja Farooq’s Hanley home in two months.

The first raid – in September, 2019 – saw heroin as well as goods stolen from

B&Q seized.

In the second raid, officers recovered heroin, cocaine and cannabis, as well as a stolen bike.

Now the 45-year-old, above, of Lower Bryan Street, has been locked up for 52 months after he admitted possessing heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, and one count of handling stolen goods.

The first raid happened at 8am on September 13, 2019.

Jas Dhaliwal, prosecuting, told Stoke-on-trent Crown Court: “Police entered through the front door and found the defendant inside with his wife. Upstairs, wraps were found. It was heroin with a street value of £80 to £100.

“Power tools were also located. B&Q said that 30 days earlier there were reports of the theft of these items from the store. Mr Farooq was arrested and taken to custody.

“He was interviewed and admitted possessing the heroin.

“He explained that he’d had a drug addiction for decades. He said he received the power tools from a friend. B&Q got the items back.”

Mr Dhaliwal added: “At 1.15pm on November 29, 2019, another search warrant was executed.

“Officers attended from the rear and saw another man receiving drugs through the bathroom window. The defendant was inside.

“They found a full wrap of heroin. Officers searched and the defendant was located in an upstairs bedroom. Close by officers found cannabis and crack cocaine. A phone was seized from the defendant.

“They also found a red mountain bike which was stolen from Hanley with a value of £400. It was returned to its owner.

“When interviewed he said he bought the bike for £40 and had no knowledge it was stolen.”

Anis Ali, mitigating, said: “He is a man who has carried a significant drug habit.

“In many ways, a desperate soul who is reliant on drugs and without any familial support.

“He appears before the court realistic as to the outcome.

He has been in custody since November 2019.

“He has the motivation to put his offending behind him.

“He wants to find himself a job and provide for his wife and estranged children.

“He says he cannot continue in the way he has been.”