Drugs gang get 40 years in jail
ADEFENDANT from Rochdale was part of a major drugs gang jailed for a total of 40 years for dealing heroin and cocaine.
The six members supplied class A drugs in a network that ran across Lancashire and Leicestershire.
During raids, officers seized a kilo of heroin and a further kilo of cocaine - with a street value of £180,000 - and recovered nearly £50,000 in cash.
The gang have now been sentenced at Preston Crown Court for a range of drugs offences.
They were rumbled in a major investigation by Lancashire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit.
The gang was headed by Zahid Khan, 40, from Preston, who was jailed for 13 years. The brains behind the network, he arranged the movement of heroin and cocaine around Bolton, Accrington, Preston and Leicester.
Mohammed Miah, 35, from Bolton, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and to launder money. He was jailed for eight years and four months.
Nadeem Hussain, 28, from Rochdale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to 16 months.
Mahmoud Jaber, 33, from Accrington got 11 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
DS Mark Lee from Lancashire Constabulary’s Serious Organised Crime Unit said: “Our investigation revealed that Khan and his associates couriered drugs around the county and beyond and laundered the proceeds of their drug deals.
“As a result of this operation, we have dismantled a significant drugs network, taking large quantities of cocaine and heroin off our streets and ensuring that those involved in the conspiracy have been brought to justice.”
Also sentenced were Mohammed Wasim Akhtar, 44, from Preston, who got six years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to launder money.
Wajid Hussain, 30, also of Preston was found guilty of conspiracy to launder money and got two years’ imprisonment.
Aroon Younus, 30, and Hakeel Sawar, 26, from Preston, both admitted conspiracy to launder money. Both got suspended sentences and community orders.
Isaac Amin, 35, from Preston, was found not guilty of conspiracy to launder money but admitted possession of cannabis. He was given an suspended sentence.
Imran Patel, 30, from Leicester will be sentenced on July 26. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to launder money.