Man operating drug deals to people queuing in Middlesbrough alleyways put behind bars

Mohammed Hamza, of Vaynor Drive in Ingleby Barwick, would drop off drugs, collect money at properties or carry out exchanges from a vehicle, including using others to work on his behalf.

On Wednesday 24 May 2023 officers carrying out patrols, stopped the 22-year-old on Surrey Street and seized a quantity of money along with a mobile phone. He was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and taken into custody.

After being questioned, he was released while officers examined the phone, and a wider investigation began to gather more evidence into the level of criminality.

While the investigation was progressing, Hamza was parked on Longford Street in Middlesbrough in the afternoon of Monday 11 December 2023. He was seen by a member of the public exchanging drug deals from the passenger side of the vehicle – and it was reported to police.

Officers stopped the grey BMW and he was detained.

A large amount of money was found stuffed in his chest pocket and a subsequent strip search resulted in wraps of crack cocaine being seized.

After being taken into custody, officers executed a search of Hamza’s property.

In the attic a sports bag was located with excess of £30,000 of cash inside and a further £500 found in the kitchen along with two burner phones that were used to send text messages offering the sale of drugs.

The evidence from the ongoing investigation and the subsequent arrest while Hamza was on police bail resulted in his immediate charge.

On Wednesday 29 May Hamza appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and money laundering.

He was told he will serve four years and three months in jail.

The investigation was conducted under Project ADDER by Cleveland Police’s Dedicated Drugs Unit and Middlesbrough’s Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The specialised unit targets persons involved in the supply of drugs who cause misery within the community.

PC Castle, from Cleveland Police’s Dedicated Drug Unit, said: “Hamza was involved in the day-to-day pick up of money and drugs but also recruited others to assist him. We would see people queuing up in alleyways waiting to buy the drugs that they were severely addicted too, which he would be benefiting from financially.

“The information we received from members of the public, and the officers on the ground who witnessed the activity taking place, played a huge part in his arrest and subsequent conviction.

“As this case demonstrates, it shows the value information can have and our commitment to act on it. I’d therefore encourage people to keep coming forward so we can continue getting these results.”

Information can be reported by calling Cleveland Police on 101 or if reticent to come forward, to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Project ADDER (Addiction, Diverson, Disruption, Enforcement, Recovery) is a project funded by the Home Office and the Police and Crime Commission to reduce drug deaths and tackle addiction.