Sadik Saleem, 42, from Heaton, has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a cocaine and heroin supply ring. He was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on 19 August after admitting conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
His brother, Naim Saleem, 38, also from Toller Lane, was jailed last month for four-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to similar charges. Together, the brothers ran a ruthless county lines drug empire.
Sadik was responsible for handling the dangerous drugs, carefully preparing and packaging cocaine and heroin. Meanwhile, Naim masterminded the distribution side of the operation, recruiting runners to sell drugs on the streets.
The Saleem brothers exploited vulnerable individuals and expanded their reach across multiple towns, operating their drug network from Home Street.
Police gathered crucial evidence linking the brothers to the drug operation. In June 2018, officers stopped a car in Skipton and found 70 wraps of cocaine and heroin. DNA tests connected the packaging directly to Sadik Saleem. A year later, a police crackdown uncovered more drug wraps coated with his DNA.
Their criminal enterprise was exposed following a joint investigation by West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Police.
County lines drug dealing is a growing threat, with gangs recruiting children and addicts as drug runners to control smaller towns. These gangs use threats and violence to maintain control over their networks.
The Saleem brothers’ runners have also been sentenced, although they received suspended terms, as police continue to target this dangerous form of crime.
North Yorkshire Police have emphasised that tackling drug dealing remains a top priority. Authorities are urging the public to report any information about drug activity in their communities to help dismantle these harmful criminal networks and keep neighbourhoods safe.
Originally published by UKNIP.
