Video: Rochdale drug dealers jailed

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Three drug dealers from Rochdale have been jailed - after police officers linked bank notes, from an addict who died from drug misuse, to a house in Rochdale.

The cash was found at the house of Mohammed Shafiq, after an investigation into the supply of drugs in Rochdale.

Shafiq, 29, of Park Road pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, possession of heroin with intent to supply, possession of cocaine with intent to supply and money laundering, at Bolton Crown Court

Shafiq was today, (Thursday 17 March 2011) jailed for six years.

Gulbahar Hussain, 32, of Lower Falinge, Rochdale pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply, conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin. He was jailed for four years at an earlier hearing.

Ruemann Vaghier, 23, of Canon Street, Smallbridge was jailed at an earlier hearing for two years, having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.

Police officers based in Rochdale gave details of a number of incidents they witnessed, between July 2008 and March 2010, of behaviour which they suspected showed a conspiracy to supply drugs around the Rochdale area.

On 27 May 2009, a CCTV operator noticed suspicious behaviour on Hunters Lane and saw three people, including two known drug addicts, getting into a Vauxhall Astra.

Mohammed Shafiq was seen in the passenger seat, holding cash and a large amount of small wraps, which he was seen to exchange with those in the back.

Having gathered their evidence, the officers executed a warrant at Shafiq's house on Park Road in Rochdale on 25 March 2010.

Cash was recovered from the house and cocaine was found in a car parked outside. A mobile phone was also seized.

A known drug addict's fingerprints were found on some of the cash. The 26 year-old man died as a result of drug related health problems in April 2010.

Shafiq was charged but further examination of the items seized and other inquiries with known drug users in the area led officers to Hussain and Vagheir.

Detective Inspector Melanie Linton said: "This has been a long drawn out inquiry that needed professionalism and perseverance from all who have supported the investigation.

"Today's result shows that police in Rochdale will make a difference in the ongoing fight against the supply of drugs.

"During the course of this inquiry we found out about the tragedy that befell one user of drugs who these offenders supplied to. It is a stark reminder of the serious consequences of drug abuse and underlines just how important it is that we take drug dealers off the streets."