A MAN has been jailed for five years after he was caught transporting almost a kilo of cocaine worth up to £60,000 across Bradford.

Mohammed Ismail, 29, of Gloucester Avenue, Fagley, Bradford, also had a large amount of Ketamine on board the grey Mercedes when he was stopped on March 27.

He was today sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on a video link to HMP Leeds where he was remanded.

Ismail pleaded guilty ahead of his trial to possession of 976 grams of cocaine with intent to supply it and possession with intent to supply the Class B drug Ketamine.

Prosecutor Clare Walsh said the case involved a kilo of cocaine.

Police officers searched the car and seized a green bag from the footwell containing the cocaine. There was also a large amount of Ketamine and £1,500 in cash.

Mrs Walsh said the cocaine had a wholesale value of up to £30,000 but was worth up to £60,000 if split into street deals.

Messages on Ismail’s phone showed that he was being directed by others higher up the chain.

A directions hearing on January 25 for a Proceeds of Crime Application will look into clawing back money he has made from his criminality.

Mrs Walsh said that Ismail had no previous convictions.

In mitigation, Fuad Arshad said that he was supported by his family who had attended court today.

He was couriering the drugs to pay off a debt and did not have a significant role in the operation.

Recorder Dafydd Enoch KC said that Ismail was involved in a drug dealing enterprise that was on a very large scale.

He needed to make money and he agreed to act as a courier for large quantities of Class A and Class B drugs.

He was bound to receive very significant financial gain and he must have been aware of the scale of the operation although he was performing a role under direction.

He would receive credit for his pleas of guilty but they were made after his first appearance at the crown court.

“You knew what you’d done and you knew you were guilty of these offences in some shape or form,” he said.

He made allowance for Ismail’s previous good character which he said was unusual for a defendant in such a case.

Ismail was jailed for a total of five years.

The drugs will be forfeit and destroyed at the end of the POCA proceedings.