A JUDGE has urged the police not to hand back hire cars used by drug dealers while locking up two men for repeatedly trafficking heroin and crack cocaine on Bradford's streets.

Asim Mahmood, 27, and Subhan Ayub, 18, were in rental vehicles that were not confiscated after they were arrested twice for continuing to sell drugs on bail, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Mahmood, of Wimborne Drive, Allerton, Bradford, was jailed for three years and four months.

Ayub, of Ambleside Avenue, Heaton, Bradford, who was 17 at the time, was sent to a young offender institution for 20 months.

Mahmood pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply on August 14 and 23 last year.

Ayub admitted similar offences on August 23 and October 25.

Prosecutor Abdul Shakoor said the pair were apprehended in hire cars and so the vehicles had not been confiscated by the police.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said the same cars could then be hired out again to street drug dealers.

"I urge the police to retain control of hire vehicles until the proper position is decided in court," he said.

Mr Shakoor said Mahmood was caught drug dealing from a Seat Leon in Manningham at 6.30pm on August 14.

A total of 104 deals of crack cocaine and 112 deals of heroin were seized from the vehicle, with a combined value of £1,563.

Nine days later, both defendants were arrested in a car with 32 wraps of Class A drugs valued at £207.

On October 25, Ayub fled from a car, dropping a package containing 63 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine valued at £448. The driver got away.

Mahmood said he was being paid £100 a day to drive the dealers around.

His barrister, Frances Pencheon, said he had a four year cocaine habit that spiralled into an addiction costing up to £300 a week.

He had worked long hours as a security guard for low pay.

Mahmood continued to drug deal on bail after those higher up the chain threatened to hurt his family.

He was now drug free and working at the family takeaway.

"He has shown remorse and insight into his offending and the damage he has caused his family," Miss Pencheon said.

Patrizia Doherty, for Ayub, said he was a naive and immature 17-year-old at the time.

He now realised he was stupid to get involved with drug dealing.

Neither defendant had any previous convictions.

Judge Durham Hall said: "Each of you continued in your actions, having been arrested on an earlier expedition."

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