TWO BRADFORD drug dealers have been locked up for a total of 11 years after they were arrested in a police swoop while both were on prison licence for similar offences.

Umar Farooq, 28, a "third striker", of Lynton Drive, Heaton, Bradford, was jailed for six years.

Co-accused Mohammed Kabir, 34, of Nearcliffe Road, Heaton, was imprisoned for five years.

The pair were caught selling wraps of heroin and crack cocaine on Mortimer Street, off Thornton Road, Bradford, at 11am on August 19.

Prosecutor Robert Galley told Bradford Crown Court today both men were on licence after being released from sentences for drugs offences.

Police officers boxed in a VW Bora with the defendants in it and seized 34 wraps of Class A drugs and more than £2,000 in cash.

Farooq and Kabir pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine and possession of cash as criminal property.

Mr Galley said it was Farooq's third conviction for dealing in Class A drugs.

He was jailed for four years in 2008 and 40 months in 2012.

Garooq's solicitor advocate, Philip Ainge, said: "He is reconciled to the grim reality of his position."

His client had pledged to start a new life, free from crime, after being released from his last jail sentence but "history caught up with him."

Farooq was working for a taxi firm and drug free when he was pursued over a debt.

He ended up taking drugs again and selling them, Mr Ainge said.

"His family are extremely upset and disappointed and he is now going to have to start all over again."

Charlotte Worsley, barrister for Kabir, said his wife was expecting their fourth child.

He was a drug addict with a £2,000 debt he was dealing to pay off.

"His addiction to heroin had overtaken his sense at this stage," Miss Worsley said.

She added: "He has learned his lesson and is now drug free. He is deeply remorseful that he could not manage that in the last 12 months."

Judge Jonathan Rose told the men they were the clearest possible illustration of the damage wrought by Class A drugs.

"You abused Class A drugs and frittered away money that you did not have. Unable to finance your drugs habits, you have turned to crime."

Both men were in debt to dealers after losing drugs seized by the police when they were previously arrested.

"You create this circular situation of dealing drugs and being arrested and losing the drugs and being in debt," the judge said.