Six years for drug dealer who ran mobile phone operation

Tahir Sardar, 25, was arrested on July 5 last year when the phone was in his possession and it continued to receive text messages from addicts seeking a supply.

Richard Wright, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court that West Yorkshire Police had recently conducted a number of operations targeting those selling Class A drugs on the streets.

The person caught supplying the undercover officer was usually an addict working for little if any money, while those higher up the chain kept themselves at a safe distance.

It was found that numerous calls from the Lincoln Green and Harehills areas of Leeds were being made to a specific number which became known as the Macca or Frank line on which orders were placed for drugs.

An analysis of the phone later seized revealed 4,189 outgoing calls and text messages made to more than 300 different number between February 10 and Sardar’s arrest, some traced to known drug users and dealers.

Mr Wright added: “The Crown submits you can safely infer this line was extensively used to arrange commercial supply of heroin and crack cocaine through a network of street dealers.”

Sardar of Shepherds Lane, Chapeltown, Leeds admitted conspiracy to supply drugs.

Jailing him, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said he accepted Sardar did not have “exclusive” control of the phone during that period “but at significant periods of time you did”.

He added: “That meant you were to receive the orders people placed on the line then organise others who took the risk of taking the drugs on to the street while you kept at a safer distance.”

Jason Pitter, representing Sardar, said following the death of his mother he had become the primary carer for his father who had suffered a number of strokes, had dementia and had to be fed through a tube.

That had led to added financial burdens on the household and he had “bowed to the pressure of others” and started drug dealing.

He deeply regretted the shame and hardship for his wife and family.