Drug dealers who targeted Harrogate locked up

Two drug dealers have been jailed for bringing cocaine and MDMA into Harrogate.

Ishmaal Mahmood, 25, of Stonegate Chase, Harehills, Leeds, and Ifaaq Mahmood, 28, of Leeds at the time, both pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing MDMA with intent to supply. Ishmaal was jailed for three years and four months and Ifaaq was jailed for one year and eight months. In 2020, Ishmaal was previously sentenced to seven months in jail for possessing a knife linked to the same incident.

In October 2020, plain clothed officers from North Yorkshire Police’s proactive ‘county lines’ team known as Operation Expedite, were on patrol in Valley Gardens in Harrogate when they came across the pair in a Volkswagen Jetta parked on Valley Drive.

Ifaaq Mahmood appeared to try and delete messages from the phone he was using as officers tried to speak with him.

Both were detained for a search under the Misuse Drugs Act after they gave implausible and inconsistent reasons for being in Harrogate.

Ishmaal Mahmood said to one of the officers “I’ve got a knife on me” and was found to be in possession of a curved hunting knife. Upon searching the vehicle, a blue latex glove containing multiple snap bags containing white and brown powder, believed to be cocaine and MDMA, were recovered. Both were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Ishmaal was also arrested for possession of the knife.

Addresses linked to both were searched and at the address of Ishmaal officers found a small amount of cannabis, further weapons and a large amount of deal bags. Drug analysis on the suspected class A drugs seized from the vehicle confirmed the drugs as 32 individual wraps including 28 cocaine and 4 MDMA. This has a street value of approximately £1,500.

Forensic analysis of the drugs and phone analysis ultimately linked both men to the supply of cocaine and MDMA in the Harrogate area. It also showed that Ishmaal was on occasion, acting as a recruiter and was trying to set up his own drug line.

The pair were sentenced for the drug offences at York Crown Court on 12 June 2023.

Investigating officer, PC Michael Haydock from the Operation Expedite team, said: “Ishmaal and Ifaaq Mahmood were working together for a County Line with the sole objective of selling highly dangerous and addictive drugs on the streets of Harrogate.

“They have done this freely and for their own gain, without the slightest bit of thought or consideration for the wider implications of their actions.

“Furthermore, they were on our streets in possession of a knife which had the potential to cause devastating injuries or worse. There is no place for this and both have received all that they deserve. Hopefully the pair have now seen the error of their ways and similarly, anyone who believes they can commit drug crime in North Yorkshire can expect to face the consequences.”

 

The seized hunting knife 

Drugs recovered from the car 

Reporting information about drug-related crime

Anyone with any information about suspected drug-related crime are urged to make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.

Always dial 999 if an emergency response is required.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

The signs of drug dealing, including County Lines activity, can include

• Increased callers at a property at all times of the day or night
• Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
• Different accents at a property
• Anti-social behaviour at a property
• Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
• Drug-related rubbish – small plastic bags, syringes
• Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods

Get professional support for drug-related issues

• Drink Drug Hub website www.drinkdrughub.co.uk
• North Yorkshire Rise – young people's specialist drug and alcohol service- freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2) – www.humankindcharity.org.uk/service/nyrise/
• North Yorkshire Horizons - adult specialist drug and alcohol service - freephone 08000 14 14 80 – www.nyhorizons.org.uk/
• City of York Drug and Alcohol Service - 01904 464 680 – www.changing-lives.org.uk/services/drug-alcohol/york-drug-alcohol-support-services/
• NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/
• FRANK helpline and information - https://www.talktofrank.com/