Bradford drugs gang that targeted Hull and Goole uncovered

The gang was uncovered as part of a long-term operation between November 2021 and March 2022.

Conducted by a team of experienced detectives, an investigation was launched after it was identified that an organised crime group from Bradford had been transporting class A drugs into the Humberside Force area.

All seven members appeared separately before Hull Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to drug-related offences.

It came after the group admitted their involvement in distributing drugs across communities across Goole and Hull earlier this year.

Left to right, Tomassi, Buckingham, and Fox (Image: Humberside Police)

• Safraz Zahir, 29, of Parsonage Road, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to nine years and seven months in prison. Zahir was also charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to three years to run concurrently.
• Umair Shakeel, 25, of Ryan Street, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to eight-years in prison.
• Justin Horniak, 21, of Halton Place, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to six years and 11 months in prison.
• Mohammed Raja, 25, Woodroyd Road, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to two years and 10-months.
• Tommy Tomassi, 22, of Queensgate Street, Hull, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon and received a 24 months community order to run concurrently.
• Asher Buckingham, 19, of Terry Street, Hull, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply cannabis. He received a 24 months rehabilitation order.
• Harvey Fox, 19, of Queensgate Street, Hull, was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to 18-months suspended sentenced for two years. He was also required to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 15-day of rehabilitation and a victim surcharge.

How the drugs network was uncovered

As well as the other operation, a separate investigation had been carried out by North Yorkshire Police in November 2020.

Zahir’s drugs line was found to be part of the same county line operating in Humberside, and this led to an investigation carried out by the Humberside force’s Organised Crime Unit.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police had carried out a stop and search on a vehicle travelling along Boothferry Road in Goole.

Zahir, who was on conditional bail at the time and a passenger, was found with a bag containing £1,410 worth of class A drugs.

Zahir was arrested at the scene and following further searches inside the vehicle, officers recovered a burner phone and began conducting extensive mobile phone data analysis.

As a result of further evidence gathered, officers were quickly able to establish that the phone was being used to operate a drugs line known as the ‘Freddy’ line.

Numerous text messages were found relating to the supply of class A drugs, mainly diamorphine and cocaine.

Zahir was released on bail whilst investigations continued, and a dedicated team of detectives began to unpick the network.

Police Constable Claire Dobson, who led the investigation, said: “Following extensive mobile phone data analysis, enquiries revealed that the drugs were marketed within the Humberside area using specific telephone numbers which were branded and known to drug users within the Humberside area.

“Once established, the lines would be used to market the drugs on offer through bulk marketing messages. When the line became active, messages would then be sent to a contact list of drug users who would then respond and place their orders.

“Conversations showed various messages from Zahir’s associates telling him how the drugs were being stored. Horniak, Buckingham and Raja were both identified as a result of these messages and were later arrested in connection with their involvement.

“As a result of evidence and intelligence gathered, on Monday, March 7, 2022, Horniak and Raja were both arrested at their home addresses in Bradford.

“Following their arrest, officers searched Horniak’s property and recovered burner phones, electronic scales, cash, a machete, and a letter from Zahir, who by this stage was in custody.

“On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, an address on Newland Grove in Hull was identified as the home of Tomassi. Officers executed a search and upon entering the property, Tomassi, Shakeel and Fox were located, along with a quantity of class A drugs, electronic scales, and cash. Officers recovered a quantity of drugs stored inside the vent of the premises and after being analysed by forensics, fingerprints were found to match those provided by Shakeel.

“A firearm was also recovered from the address and Tomassi was further arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.”

Several mobile phones were also seized.

It was established that after the drugs had been transported from Bradford, Newland Grove was being used as a 'stash house'.

All seven were subsequently charged in connection with their involvement.