Trio jailed for Rochdale drugs plot

Mohammed Yaqoob

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Three men have been jailed for conspiring to sell heroin and crack cocaine in Rochdale.

Mohammed Yaqoob, 47, and Abdul Jabar Khan, 23, both of Yorkshire Street, Rochdale and Albert Parker, 50, of Leamington Street, Rochdale were found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs following a trial at Bolton Crown Court.

They were today, Friday 10 December 2010, sentenced to 24 years and six months between them.

Yaqoob was sentenced to 11 years, Parker received a seven and a half year sentence and Khan was jailed for six years.

In the Rochdale area, drug users commonly contact a particular phone number, marketed by drug dealers, to place an order.

The person answering the phone will then contact the dealer who will meet up with the customer at a pre-arranged place.

The person with the phone does not actually come into contact with any drugs or customers, they simply arrange the distribution of them.

Yaqoob used the dealer name of 'Yak' and used this method to deal Class A drugs in the Rochdale area with Khan and Parker.

A large amount of telephone data was examined, which uncovered a number of text messages relating to the supply of drugs, many addressed to 'Yak'.

Search warrants were carried out at Yorkshire Street, Rochdale and a large amount of cocaine and heroin was seized.

On 30 June 2008 a house on Taylor Street was searched after officers found out users had bought drugs from there.

It was discovered Parker was in charge of the house and officers found Class A drugs in the house and loft.

On 5 August 2008, officers went to Duke Street, Rochdale where Khan was then living. While officers were at the address, a mobile phone was constantly ringing.

As one officer went to turn off the phone, it was inadvertently answered and put on speakerphone. A woman was then heard to ask for drugs and arrange a meeting place.

Officers searched the house and found small amounts of crack cocaine and heroin. 

Detective Constable Claire Rawcliffe of Rochdale CID said: "Drugs have a massive impact on communities especially when users turn to crime to feed their habit.

"Yaqoob, Parker and Khan tried to exploit the demand from drug users in Rochdale and peddled crack cocaine and heroin in the area since 2006.

"We have not only managed to remove large quantities of drugs from the streets but we are also one step closer to trying to eradicate the sale and use of drugs in the area."

Anyone with information on the sale of drugs in Rochdale should call police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.