Leeds dealer caught with cocaine worth £500,000 had crashed Lamborghini, court told

Shezan Ali was caught with nearly seven kilos of high quality cocaine in a police operation in April, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Police spotted Ali, 35, putting a sports bag in the back of a Nissan Micra parked at the back of Shai Nan Kebab on Roundhay Road, Harehills, just before 4pm on April 7.

Anthony Dunne, prosecuting, said police raided the kebab shop and searched Ali, who had more than £2,000 cash in a wad of £20 notes on him.

Police searched the Micra and found six packages containing just over six kilos of cocaine with a purity of 91 per cent.

They found a seventh package containing 987 grammes of 82 per cent pure cocaine.

Ten of Ali's fingerprints were found on the packages.

Mr Dunne said Ali's home was searched and high value clothing and watches were found.

Mr Dunne said the almost seven kilos of high purity cocaine had a wholesale value of £280,000 but after it was "adulterated" may have been worth £502,000.

Evidence from Ali's mobile phone showed he was playing a leading role in the supply of drugs in the Leeds area.

Ali, of Oakwell Mount, Oakwood, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property in connection with the cash.

Charles Blatchford, mitigating, said: "He has worked hard in the family business. They are well known in the community.

"He has helped in the restaurant but also in the ice cream business."

Mr Blatchford added: "He has been smoking too much cannabis.

"He attended a family wedding in Southampton and to arrive in style he borrowed a Lamborghini supercar from a man.

"He doesn't want to name the man through fear. On the return he was involved in a collision."

Mr Blatchford said the man who owned the Lamborghini told Ali he owed him money for repairs and for a drug debt.

Mr Blatchford said Ali got involved in dealing to pay off the debt, adding: "He has been a complete fool."

Mr Blatchford said: "He accepts he has been in at quite a high level under the duress of this other individual.

"He is ashamed. He has let his family down."

Judge Mushtaq Khokar jailed Ali for ten-and-a-half-years.

After the sentencing hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Howard of the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “Ali has been brought to justice thanks to the detailed investigation which has seen a large amount of Class A drugs taken off the streets.

“Drugs such as cocaine have no place in our communities and Ali deserves to be in prison for his offending. He now has time inside to consider the consequences of his actions.

“I would like to thank our partners at the National Crime Agency, Leeds Serious and Organised Crime Unit, Leeds District Crime Team as well as other colleagues from West Yorkshire Operational and Firearms Support Units.

"Once again, our strong partnership working has resulted in another positive outcome for the communities within the Yorkshire and Humber region”.