Saqib Hussain from Keighley is given extra jail time

Saqib Hussain was given a 68-month prison sentence last year for dealing drugs after a police search found he had 88 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin “secreted under his testicles”.

He appeared before Bradford Crown Court via video link from HMP Wealstun near Wetherby to be sentenced for three separate but identical offences of supplying Class A drugs to an undercover police officer.

He was caught as part of Operation Saintpond, a large-scale police operation to target organised gangs peddling heroin, crack cocaine, and cannabis in Keighley and across the county border into North Yorkshire.

Prosecutor Victoria Barker said Hussain, 30, formerly of Keighley, was selling crack cocaine via a “ring and buy” drug line known as “Freddie” that users would call to make orders.

The undercover officer bought drugs from Hussain – who he referred to as Freddie - on August 8, 2023, and then twice a week later on August 15.

Mrs Barker said the purchases were a small sample of the drug dealing that Hussain had been involved in on a daily basis.

On August 8 the officer placed an order for 12 wraps of crack cocaine and met Hussain, who was driving a Seat Leon, at the corner of Russell Street and Luton Street in Keighley.

He paid £120 for the drugs, which were wrapped in a tissue on the passenger seat of the car.

A forensic analysis of the drugs showed each wrap of crack cocaine weighed 112mg and was of 80 per cent purity.

Hussain was found to be the named driver on the car’s insurance policy.

On August 15 the officer called the line to order three wraps of crack cocaine and met Hussain on Russell Street. This time he was driving a silver Audi.

He paid £30 in cash and asked if he could buy four wraps.

The case was heard at Bradford Crown Court

Hussain only had three and drove away but later came back and handed over a further wrap of the drug for which he charged £20.

When those drugs were tested the cocaine was found to be of 83 per cent purity.

The officer was wearing a recording device for each deal and Hussain was identified from video footage.

Nine days later Hussain was stopped and searched by officers who were not aware of Operation Saintpond and found to be carrying a large amount of drugs.

Mrs Barker said: “On that occasion, he had 53 wraps of cocaine and 35 wraps of heroin secreted under his testicles.”

His mobile phone was seized and found to contain messages indicative of Class A drug dealing that referred to the “Freddie” drug line.

In a police interview, he gave “no comment” answers to all questions.

He was later jailed for five years and eight months.

The court heard he had previous convictions for drug-related matters including possession with intent to supply.

Mrs Barker said Hussain had a significant operational role in the chain with awareness and understanding of the operation.

Mitigating, Matthew Stewart said Hussain should have been sentenced for all matters at the same time and that the offences for which he was jailed last September post-dated the three deals in August 2023.

He suggested it would be “unjust” to impose a further minimum term sentence on Hussain, who had already served 14 months in prison.

His Honour Judge Colin Burn said he had to be mindful of the sentence Hussain would have received last year had all of his offending been in front of the court on the same occasion.

He said: “Since you were sentenced the Crown and the police have put into sharp focus what has been going on in Keighley for quite some time … which is the pretty grim effects that drug-dealing has had on a large number of people.

“That impact statement was not before the court [when you were sentenced]. Had it been it would have been taken into account. I don’t think it's appropriate for you to gain the benefit of that lack.”

He added four months to Hussain’s 68-month sentence minus the 14 months already served to make a total of 58 months or four years and ten months, to be served concurrently.

He also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs seized.