A number of criminals across the North East have been convicted of drug related offences in recent weeks.
Some were found to have been peddling class A drugs while others have been tending to cannabis plants. The sentences which they have received at court have ranged from 14 years in prison to a community order.
In one of the most unusual cases, a man caused £75,000 worth of damage to a bungalow and sustained severe burns after the cannabis oil batch he was making exploded.
Read more: The criminals who terrorised their partners and exes and were convicted in court this month
Here are some of the defendants who have been convicted of drug offences during the last two months:
Saibou Sidibeh, Abdou Jobarteh, Abdoulie Mbye and Fafa Nyabally
The four men played various roles in a narcotics gang operating in Newcastle and Gateshead which was smashed by police in a series of operations.
Large amounts of cannabis were recovered from cars and homes, along with cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and a designer cocktail of ketamine and cocaine, known as "Calvin Klein".
Earlier this month at Newcastle Crown Court, Saibou Sidibeh, 29, and Abdou Jobarteh, 38, were locked up while Abdoulie Mbye, 41, and Fafa Nyabally, 22, were spared prison for their part in the offending.
Police saw Sidibeh in a car in Shieldfield, Newcastle, around 9.15pm and two men approached him at the passenger window and a drugs exchange took place. When police approached and searched the car they found 68 bags of cannabis in a bag and pepper spray in the glove compartment.
There were also three mobile phones containing texts consistent with drug dealing. A search of his house revealed more cannabis, MDMA, a small amount of cocaine and more than £3,500 cash. The total value of the cannabis in the car and house was more than £8,000.
Sidibeh, of Granville Court, Jesmond, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply MDMA and cannabis and possessing cocaine and a pepper spray in relation to offences which took place on March 8, 2018.
The court heard how police on Stepney Lane, Newcastle, saw Jobarteh selling £50 of cannabis to a student. Officers went to his home, where they found £6,000 of cannabis, drug dealing phones, scales and more than £2,500 cash.
In a bedroom they found a large number of documents related to Mbye and a wallet containing £5,000 cash in various currencies, mainly Scottish notes. Mbye was arrested at another address.
Abdou Jobarteh, of Graingerville South, Newcastle, and Abdoulie Mbye, of Hawthorn Place, Cruddas Park, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply in relation to offences on March 21 2018. Jobarteh also admitted supplying cannabis.
Mbye also pleaded guilty to possessing fraudulent identity documents, a passport and identity document he sent to a third party, which were intercepted by Border Force.
All four men were arrested after police executed a search warrant at Willbrook House, Gateshead, in March 2019 and found a large quantity of drugs. There were five kilos of cannabis in the attic, worth up to £17,000.
Behind a mirror in the bathroom there was a cavity where various drugs were hidden, including cocaine worth up to £2,500. Police also found around £1,000 of MDMA, cannabis worth £2,500 and £400 of ketamine. There was also a mixture of cocaine and ketamine, which the court heard was a designer drug known as Calvin Klein.
Mbye pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and ketamine and Jobarteh admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.
Nyabally, 22, of Auchentibber Court, Glasgow, was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and Sidibeh was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and ketamine.
Sidibeh was jailed for a total of eight years while Jobarteh was locked up for four years.
Mbye received a 22 month prison sentence suspended for two years with 200 hours unpaid work. Nyabally was handed a 12 month community order with 100 hours unpaid work.
Kohi Choudhury, Sabir Ahmed, and Arif Shomel
The international drug dealers were jailed after a sophisticated drugs production facility was uncovered in Newcastle. They were convicted after police seize £29,000 worth of class A drugs back in July 2021.
The complex investigation began in October 2020, after police received intelligence which suggested illicit packages were being sent across the Atlantic. After two packages were intercepted, an investigation was launched led by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), and assisted by Northumbria Police, Border Force and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
This led officers to an address on Stanton Street, in Arthur's Hill, where a sophisticated drugs production facility was uncovered. Over 80 kilos of Class C drugs were recovered along with industrial pill presses and other machinery needed to produce, package and dispatch these tablets.
The investigation soon uncovered a dark web, cryptocurrency-led enterprise with a global customer base across four continents. Forensic investigators were led straight to ringleader Choudhury, 26. He was arrested and released while the enquiries into the conspiracy continued.
Border Force officials intercepted two further suspicious packages containing Class C drugs which Choudhury had attempted to send to the USA in July 2021. New information led to more searches at two further addresses in Newcastle.
On July 12 2021, Choudhury was re-arrested at his home on St Thomas Square, in Newcastle city centre, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs and his devices, a small quantity of tablets and £12,000 in cash seized.
The second address on Lancaster Street revealed another sophisticated drugs lab complete with a large industrial pill press, capable of producing up to 5000 high-quality pills an hour, mixer, grinder and packaging equipment. Detectives seized 40,000 tablets and bulking-agents and two kilos of crystallised MDMA and ecstasy tablets with a street value of £29,000.
Choudhury and his co-accused Shomel, 25, and Ahmed, 25, who had been previously arrested during the course of the investigation, were all subsequently charged with a range of drugs offences.
Choudhury pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class C substances, possession of criminal property, money laundering for the cryptocurrency and possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply.
Shomel, of Bentinck Road, Benwell, and Ahmed, of Angel View, Benwell, both pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply a Class C drug and supplying a psychoactive substance.
Last month, the trio were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court. Choudhury was put behind bars for 14 years and will receive a three-year Serious Crime Prevention Order upon his release.
Ahmed was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and Shomel was jailed for two years.
Fjorelo Rama
The cannabis farmer was put behind bars after police found around £75,000 worth of plants inside a home in County Durham.
Fjorelo Rama, 25, did a runner from police when they went to an address at The Oval in Ouston on June 20. British Gas noticed them after becoming aware of an "interference" with a meter.
Durham Crown Court heard how officers went inside the property and found an "extremely professional set up", which included almost 240 cannabis plants. Rama, who illegally entered the UK in 2018, was responsible for watering and tending to the plants.
Lewis Kerr, prosecuting, said the farm was discovered after British Gas became aware of an "interference with a meter" and police went to a property at The Oval along with British Gas employees.
He said: "When they attended, the defendant made-off on foot but was arrested by officers. When police entered the property 238 cannabis plants were discovered and three rooms had been turned over to the production of cannabis. There were plants at various stages of growth, including mature plants."
Mr Kerr said the cannabis was valued at £75,000 with the equipment alone valued at £11,000. He added: "On some of the equipment the defendant's finger prints were found."
Rama, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of cannabis. The court in Durham heard how Rama, who required an Albanian interpreter throughout proceedings, made no comment in interview and had no previous convictions.
Mark Styles, defending, said: "The defendant entered the country illegally in 2018 and his intention was to gain work and send money home to his mother in Albania. His mother cares for his two older brothers who are disabled. He was living and working in the Kingston area of London for some time."
Mr Styles said that Rama was later offered work at the County Durham cannabis farm and that it was already "in situ" when he arrived. He added Rama was promised payment for his work but had never received any money and was "performing a limited function under direction".
During his sentencing hearing last month, Judge Ray Singh said the farm was an "extremely professional set up" and said individuals like Rama were a "crucial part of the grow process".
He said: "No doubt you were aware of the scale of this operation and were expecting some significant financial reward." Rama was jailed for two years with "automatic deportation" potentially taking place when he is released.
Rexhino Musaku
The Albanian cannabis farmer was paid with clothes, grooming products and trips to London and Scotland.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Rexhino Musaku was in the UK illegally. He was a trained mechanic in his homeland of Albania but was unable to get legitimate work here due to his immigration status.
The court heard how he was offered work looking after a drugs farm in Sunderland. It was busted when British Gas sent someone out over concerns about the electricity meter, which had been bypassed to power the equipment.
A worker from a company acting on behalf of the fuel supplier went to the city's Gray Road with a warrant to enter on May 24 and gained entry with the help of a locksmith.
Jane Foley, prosecuting, told the court in Newcastle: "Once inside the property it was clear it was being used as a cannabis farm. There were heat lamps, cooling fans and extensive cabling. The electricity meter had been bypassed and police were called."
When officers turned up four hours later, Musaku was outside trying to lock the door and was arrested. Officers found four rooms were dedicated to the production of cannabis - three of them for growing it and one as a drying room.
The loft was also in the process of being converted into a useable space. In total there were 246 cannabis plants at various stages of growth.
When Musaku was interviewed, he said he came to the UK three years ago illegally and got work as a mechanic. He said it dried up during the pandemic and two men offered him £1,000 to water and look after the plants.
Miss Foley said: "He said he was given a new phone, grooming products, clothes and trips to Scotland and London instead of cash."
Musaku, who would not name the other men involved, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and was jailed for 20 months last month.
Katie Spence, defending, said: "He is a young man with a family he feels he has heavily let down back in Albania. He is incredibly disappointed in himself and I ask his remorse is taken into consideration."
Josemar Fernandez
The 34-year-old was caught selling drugs at a bar in Newcastle city centre.
Fernandez was in Perdu, in Newcastle city centre, when he was spotted dealing by the manager. Newcastle Crown Court heard how he was huddled with his brother and another man he was selling to.
Nicoletta Alistari, prosecuting, said his activities came to light. She told the court how his activities came to light in August 2018. She said: "The manager formed the view they were selling drugs and asked security to take them aside. The third man was drunk. He confirmed he had bought drugs and had a small deal of cocaine in his jacket."
When Fernandez was arrested he was found to have cocaine, MDMA and cannabis in his underwear. He said he didn't know the drugs were there and claimed he was being framed. However examination of his phone revealed messages consistent with drug dealing. And at his home, police found self sealing bags and scales.
Fernandez, formerly of Elswick Court, Elswick, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine, MDMA and cannabis with intent to supply. The court in Newcastle heard how he had eight previous convictions including possessing a firearm with intent to commit an offence and robbery
Last month, Recorder Emma Smith sentenced the defendant to 22 months in prison suspended for two years. He was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 costs.
Christopher Titterington
The 28-year-old caused an estimated £75,000 worth of damage to a bungalow after the cannabis oil batch he was making exploded.
Durham Crown Court heard how he was undertaking the highly dangerous extraction process of making his own cannabis oil at a rented property in Rosedale Terrace, Horden, County Durham, when it exploded on July 2, 2020. The explosion was so powerful the kitchen windows blew out and caused serious burns to the upper part of his body.
Paul Rooney, prosecuting, said the process of making cannabis oil involves the use of butane gas, and that a pan of oil was being heated up, creating what is known as "dabs" or "honey oil". He said: "As he did it, it exploded, and he suffered significant burns to the upper part of his body and he remained in an intensive care unit for several weeks."
The prosecutor said that a fire investigation report noted that the explosion was so powerful the kitchen windows were "blown out" during the extraction process. He said that during the process, the property was a "butane rich environment" and that 48 butane cylinders were inside the home.
Mr Rooney said it was an "industrial process in a domestic setting without any training" and that Titterington "took the risk to produce the oil the way he did". He said the owner of the property, "estimated the cost to repair the property amounts to £75,000."
The court in Durham heard how incident left the owner of the bungalow suffering from "anxiety" due to the amount of damage caused. Titterinton was himself hospitalised for several weeks and sustained "severe burns" and t "outstanding work" still needs to be carried out by doctors.
Titterington, of West Street, Blackhall Colliery, County Durham, pleaded guilty to arson and being concerned in the production of cannabis. A previous hearing heard how the defendant's life had been "devastated" by the explosion.
Earlier this month, he was handed a 14 month prison sentence suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 35 rehabilitation days. Judge James Adkin said Titterington was "remorseful" and said the fact that he sustained such serious injuries and now has difficulties was in itself "significant mitigation".
Richard Carr
The cannabis dealer was found with a "tick list" and over £1,600 in cash after police pulled a car over in Northumberland.
The 25-year-old was the passenger in an Audi being driven by another person on March 1, 2020. When police pulled them over in Seaton Delaval, Carr gave officers a different surname.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Carr was found in possession of a "tick list" of drug orders. His home was later searched, and £1,610 in cash was found.
John Crawford, prosecuting, said police were patrolling around the Seaton Delaval area in an unmarked car when they passed an Audi which was being driven by a man who was using a phone. Carr was a passenger in the car at the time. Mr Crawford said: "The defendant gave a different name and he was searched. He had no drugs or money on him."
Mr Crawford said during the search, Carr was found in possession of a "tick list of drug orders" which also included a small number of names. He also made reference to £1,800 being stored in his home upstairs and 4g of cannabis near a back door.
When officers searched his home, no cannabis was found but £1,610 in cash was. Carr's phone was also seized and messages relating to "drug dealing at street level" were found.
Carr, of Kentmere Close, Cramlington, Northumberland, was found guilty of supplying a class B drug after a trial at a lower magistrates' court.
Susan Hirst, defending, said Carr's messages that were found were "extremely limited" and included "conversations with some friends". She said: "It is not street dealing in that sense. He obtained cannabis for friends when he's been obtaining it for himself. He didn't do it for exchange of money." Ms Hirst added that Carr gave the surname of his father when stopped, has a job and a child and was spending £50 a day for cannabis he used personally at the time.
During his sentencing hearing earlier this month, Judge Adams gave Carr full credit for his guilty plea. He handed him a 12 month community order and ordered him to carry out 10 rehabilitation days. Carr must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
Carl Clarke
The drug dealer is facing jail after being caught selling crack cocaine and heroin in a undercover sting.
The 32-year-old thought he was dealing the class A illicit substances to addicts on the streets of Gateshead. on three occasions in August 2020. However he was actually selling the drugs to undercover police officers.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard how Clarke twice sold the constable heroin and once crack cocaine during a period of just five days. Prosecutors did not say the quantity of the drugs involved.
Saba Shan, prosecuting, said Clarke sold an undercover officers the illicit substances on three occasions in August 2020. She continued: "The first charge is August 13 with heroin, the second is August 17 with heroin and the third is August 18 with crack cocaine. He's got no previous offences for drugs but the crown would say this should be committed to the crown court."
Clarke, of Iona Road, Gateshead, pleaded guilty to three counts of supplying a class A drug.
The court in Newcastle heard that Clarke was given a suspended sentence in February this year for an offence of dangerous driving, so was already known to and co-operating with the Probation Service.
Andy O'Hanlon, defending, agreed that the magistrates' court's sentencing powers were insufficient to finalise the case.
Earlier this month, District Judge Kate Meek committed Clarke's case to Newcastle Crown Court. She told him: "You're now on bail to attend the crown court on September 14 at 10am unless that court gives you a different date and time.
"If you don't attend, a warrant will be issued for your arrest and there will be an absconding charge. You now have to live and sleep each each night at the address you have given to the court."
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