A Bradford man conspired to get drugs valued at almost £500,000 on to the streets, a jury has heard.

Yousef Sher is accused of playing a part in the nationwide distribution of substantial amounts of heroin from Bradford.

He appeared at Bradford Crown Court yesterday for the opening of what is expected to be a five-day trial.

Sher, of Hustler Street, Undercliffe, Bradford, is charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, together with others. Of the others, Mohammed Saleem Hussain pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A drug, Rayman Hussain admitted possession of heroin with intent to supply, while Wajid Hussain was cleared of transporting wholesale quantities of heroin from Bradford to Bristol. All three cases were dealt with last October.

Andrew Kershaw, prosecuting, said Sher played a part in a drug deal that happened in Bradford on October 17, 2011.

Sher is said to have driven a Volkswagen Golf to Oxford Road in Bradford to meet Rayman Hussain, who was waiting in a Volkswagen Polo having driven to Bradford from Bristol.

Mr Kershaw said: “Rayman Hussain flashed his headlights towards the Golf as Sher drove towards him.”

Sher is said to have driven past Rayman, before Rayman followed him into nearby Peel Park Drive and out of sight of surveillance officers.

Mr Kershaw said: “It is the prosecution case that while both vehicles were out of sight, but in the vicinity of the address occupied by Mohammed Saleem Hussain, Sher facilitated the transfer of a consignment of heroin into the boot of the Polo.”

The Polo then left and headed for the M62, said Mr Kershaw, where, less than 30 minutes after the transfer had taken place, the vehicle was stopped by police on the westbound carriageway between junctions 23 and 22.

Mr Kershaw told the jury that the Polo contained 8.71 kilogrammes of heroin, with a street value of about £435,000.

Sher was arrested at his Bradford home in December 6, 2011.

Mr Kershaw said a search of Sher’s house discovered a note that could be interpreted as a memo relating to the distribution of drugs in bags.

The trial continues.