Nelson canal drug dealing gang are jailed

Mohammed Adnan (22), of Victoria Street, Nelson, was jailed for four years after admitting 23 counts of supplying heroin between June 27th and July 14th 2010. Adnan managed the supply of drugs from a 200m stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, hiding the drugs in foliage at the side of the canal.

Also jailed for his part in the operation was Shafquat Hussain (24), of Rupert Street, Nelson, who was given eight months imprisonment after admitting being concerned in the supply of heroin. Nadeem Hussain (22), of Bond Street, Nelson, was jailed for seven months after pleading guilty to supplying heroin on June 29th.

The gang were caught after a covert police investigation, led by Pennine Division’s Targeted Crime Unit, launched after concerns were raised by the public.

Throughout the three-month investigation, police swooped on a number of addresses in the Whitefield area, seizing heroin and cash.

Detective Inspector Russ Proctor, who led the investigation, said: “Today’s sentences are the culmination of months of hard work and should demonstrate our determination to pursue and prosecute high level drug dealers.

“This was an extremely lucrative and well-organised drug dealing enterprise which was run from the side of a canal. The majority of the dealing took place within open view of parents and young children just yards away from a local primary school.

“The dealers were operating at the heart of a thriving and respectful community. Many people felt they had been deprived of the area due to the regular drug dealing taking place. They showed no regard for people living in the neighbourhood and their behaviour blighted the local community.

“We have received tremendous support from members of the public and I am confident this result will help to improve the quality of life for those many decent people who are fed up with the criminals who destroy communities through the supply of Class A drugs.

“I hope this sentence sends a very clear message to those people involved in dealing drugs, that the police know who they are and what they are doing. They will be targeted and their activities will not be tolerated.”

Community Beat Manager PC Ian Willis, who covers the Whitefield area, added: “These three offenders believed they were untouchable. They brought misery to those who used the drugs and would stand on street corners intimidating local residents. There is a huge sense of relief in the area now they have been sent to prison.”

Anyone with information about drug dealing in their community is urged to contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”