Drug dealer, 20, already in jail is given another six months behind bars

Adil Qayyum was sentenced to six more months in prison at Leeds Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday) after he was caught supplying heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis while on police bail.

Undercover police officers penetrated a Kirklees drug ring known as the ‘Star Network’ and placed orders. Qayyum, of Pickles Street, Batley Carr, offered to sell them the drugs in October last year.

This happened while Qayyum was on police bail following raids on his home. In August last year, officers found 22g of heroin and 72g of crack cocaine at a property.

Nick Worsley, mitigating, said Qayyum was engaged in “low-level street dealing” to people he knew were addicts. Sentencing, Judge Tom Bayliss, QC, said: “There has to be a custodial sentence to reflect the fact these offences were committed while on police bail.”

Qayyum was one of 35 people arrested in connection with more than 200 drugs offences as part of Operation Overwood. Around £10,000 in cash was seized.

Other men caught in the sting include Umar Ditta, 27, of Conway Crescent, Batley, who received a two year prison sentence suspended for two years and 200 hours unpaid work for drug offences. Iulian Velicu, 36, of Eyre Street, Batley, was jailed for 16 months.