A 42-year-old man from Bradford has been sentenced to 32 months in prison after pleading guilty to drug supply and possession charges.
Sohiel Shabir was convicted at Bradford Crown Court for his involvement in supplying cocaine and possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.
Officers on patrol in the Kirkwall Drive area had observed Shabir seated in a Seat Leon alongside a passenger during April of the previous year.
A woman known to be a user of Class A substances was seen leaning toward the driver’s window, prompting officers to suspect a transaction was occurring.
Both occupants were subsequently detained for a stop and search procedure.
During the search, police discovered £1,115 in cash stored within the driver’s door pocket.
Shabir, who had been operating the vehicle, was also found to be in possession of two mobile phones.
Both individuals were arrested on suspicion of involvement in crack cocaine supply.
A subsequent strip search revealed that Shabir had concealed a clear plastic bag in his scrotum area.
The bag contained two wrapped packages of both crack cocaine and heroin.
During questioning, he declined to answer most inquiries but acknowledged ownership of the vehicle and confirmed the substances were for his personal consumption.
He maintained that the recovered currency originated from mobile phone sales and bore no connection to drug transactions.
Investigators subsequently analysed both handsets, uncovering communications consistent with drug distribution activities.
The Nokia device appeared to function as a dedicated line for managing sales.
Charges against the passenger were discontinued, though court documentation noted this individual as holding a trusted position within the operation.
Shabir possessed no prior criminal convictions.
The court was informed that he had previously maintained steady employment before entering into a relationship with someone dependent on drugs.
He subsequently developed his own addiction and accrued a debt connected to his substance use.
This circumstances resulted in the loss of his business, damage to his standing, and the breakdown of his relationship with his children.
During proceedings, Shabir explained that he had only dealt drugs for approximately one week, solely to repay his debt.
He reported receiving threats and having been physically assaulted in relation to the money owed.
He estimated his earnings from the day of his arrest amounted to approximately £80.
Sentencing remarks highlighted that communications recovered from the mobile phones demonstrated drug supply activities and broader promotional efforts.
The judge underscored the substantial harm caused by Class A substances to individuals and communities.
The offending was deemed sufficiently serious to necessitate a custodial sentence, with Shabir required to serve a portion of the term before release on licence.
Seized items including the drugs, phones, and associated equipment were ordered for forfeiture and destruction.