Drug-line dealer 'thankful' for being jailed and wants Leeds university re-start
A student who ran a major drugs line has said he is thankful for being put behind bars.
Nassir Dib controlled a phone line that sent out blanket messages to addicts advertising deals in heroin and crack cocaine.
He was caught after a brief car chase in Leeds city centre in which he crashed.
But in a rare stance, a statement read out at Leeds Crown Court during his sentence hearing, Dib said he was “gifted” by being locked up because it had given him time to “reflect on his life and his decisions”.
He added: “I’m thankful I’m in prison. It’s given me time to think and find my purpose in life.”
The court heard that police tried to pull over Dib’s VW Passat at around 7pm on February 6 last year because it flagged up as having no insurance.
He was on Kirkgate in Leeds city centre , but he tried to accelerate away, take a corner into Call Lane but lost control and collided with a metal barrier.
The 24-year-old got out and ran while his car was still moving but was quickly apprehended by pursuing officers. He appeared to throw away a phone as he went.
They found £380 worth of crack cocaine and heroin in his pocket in individual wraps.
They also found £298 in cash. The iPhone he threw required a pin which he refused to provide.
However, he was arrested again on January 26 this year in possession of cannabis and a phone was found on him which was linked to a drug line known to police.
He admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession of cannabis.
Dib, of Ashenhurst Avenue, Huddersfield, has two previous convictions, both for possession of drugs.
Mitigating, Andrea Parnham said Dib was working at a warehouse and enrolled in a university course at the Global Banking School in Leeds, studying construction and management.
She said he will be able to return to his studies once released.
Judge Robin Mairs told Dib it was “determined repeat offending”. He jailed him for 48 months.