Two men in Keighley have been sentenced to 30 months in prison for selling drugs to an undercover officer
Keighley: Johan Shafi, 20, and Jameel Khan, 27, are now facing 30 months behind bars. They were caught selling drugs to an undercover cop during a police operation aimed at tackling drug issues in the area.
At Bradford Crown Court, the judge pointed out that these guys were part of a serious drug market. They were involved in a supply chain that was much bigger than just their sales.
The prosecutor explained how the two men sold drugs over a few days in late October and November 2023. But this was just a tiny glimpse of their daily dealings.
Undercover officers, part of “Operation Saintpond,” were specifically targeting drug gangs in Keighley. They used a secret phone line, called the “ghost” line, to buy heroin and cocaine.
On October 30, the undercover officer met Shafi, who was driving a turquoise car. He asked if the officer smoked, and when the officer inquired about drugs, Shafi confirmed they had what he wanted.
Khan, sitting in the passenger seat, gave the officer a number to call. When the officer called, Shafi’s phone lit up, and he was told to save the number as “ghost.”
Shafi even handed over a free sample of drugs and showed off more cocaine, saying they did delivery deals too. The next day, the officer ordered more drugs and paid £30 for the goods.
On November 20, police stopped Shafi while he was driving suspiciously. They found a baseball bat in the car, which he claimed was for protection.
When police searched their homes, they found phones linked to the drug line. Both men refused to comment during police interviews.
In court, a police inspector shared how drug dealing was causing problems in the community, leading to public disorder and damage. Residents had been asking for more action against this behavior.
The prosecutor emphasized that Shafi and Khan were contributing to the drug problem in Keighley. They were actively involved in advertising and delivering drugs.
Shafi’s lawyer argued he was young and naive, while Khan’s lawyer said he was easily influenced and had no prior offenses. The judge made it clear that both men were in this together for the money.
In the end, the judge ordered the destruction of the drugs, phones, and the baseball bat. It’s a tough lesson for these two, but hopefully, it sends a message to others.
