THREE Bradford men have received jail sentences totalling more than eight years for plotting to peddle “filthy drugs” on the streets of the city.

Although none was the prime mover in the conspiracy, each chose to traffick heroin and crack cocaine with their eyes open, the judge sentencing them said yesterday.

Abdul Ghaffar, 41, of St Michael’s Road, White Abbey, was labelled the most involved in the plot.

He was imprisoned for three years and eight months.

Ghaffar was arrested three times in connection with the conspiracy, persisting to sell drugs while on bail.

Arbaaz Hussain, 20, of Kensington Street, Girlington, and Mohammed Jabbar, 26, of Springroyd Terrace, Girlington, were each locked up for two years and eight months.

All three men had earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Prosecutor Matthew Harding told Bradford Crown Court the defendants were involved in a mobile drugs supply operation in the Manningham area of Bradford.

That operation took place on dates between April and August last year, the court was told.

Hussain and Jabbar were caught in a car with £1,100 of drugs at 8.40pm on April 20.

Police had to smash the vehicle window to apprehend them, the court was told.

They were arrested on Aireville Avenue, Shipley, after they drove off and refused to get out of the vehicle.

Hussain had two packages of drugs in his underwear, the court heard.

Meanwhile, incriminating messages were found on a phone seized by the police.

Ghaffar and Hussain were arrested on July 27 for street dealing and Ghaffar was apprehended on August 2 and 10.

In all, the police seized hundreds of packages of Class A drugs.

Cash and phones were also recovered by officers.

The court heard that none of the men had any previous convictions for drug dealing.

The Crown conceded they were controlled by a man higher up the chain of command.

Shufqat Khan, barrister for Jabbar, said he owed money after a car he leased was involved in an accident.

He was a working man who had led a law abiding life, selflessly helping others.

Ray Singh, for Hussain, said his client was £2,000 in debt after he was named in his local community in connection with a stolen car.

Hussain had A levels and hoped to go to university.

He had been frank with the police and was the youngest of the defendants.

Jayne Beckett, for Ghaffar, said he was in debt, owing money for household bills and tax.

He had been left devastated when his wife left him and agreed to drive for the drugs supply enterprise.

“Someone else was pulling the strings here and this defendant has been caught in the net,” Mrs Beckett said.

Judge Hatton told the men: “None of you has any previous convictions for being concerned in any way with Class A drugs but the fact is that, on these occasions, each of you chose, with your eyes open, to do so.”

He added: “You all knew perfectly well what you were doing, peddling filthy drugs on the streets of this city.”

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