Dealers who targeted students in the supply of drugs, unwittingly fell into the trap of selling a range of illicit substances to an undercover police officer.

Dilawar Tariq, Hamzah Ali, David Knowles and Kieran Cash along with three associates came to the attention of police in 2020 following a targeted clampdown on the sale and distribution of illegal drugs in Newcastle.

Enhanced police activity formed part of the response to the tragic deaths of three students in the city early in the academic term, in October that year.

As part of the policing tactics, a plain-clothed officer was deployed and tasked with sourcing illicit substances.

The Northern Echo: Jailed drug suppliers, inset left, top, Hamzah Ali and bottom, David Knowles, with, top right,

Before long, the officer was able to identify various “deal lines” used by Ali and Knowles to sell cocaine, ketamine and MDMA (ecstasy).

Further inquiries also linked Tariq to the illicit trade.

Following a long-running investigation gathering in-depth intelligence on the group and their network over a nine-month period, officers arrested the dealers and seized £3,000 worth of cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and ketamine.

But the police response also netted a range of weapons, including an illegal air rifle section from Knowles’ home.

Following the arrests, further inquiries were carried out which led officers to an address in the Gosforth area where they uncovered £270,000 worth of Class A and B drugs, a handful of firearms and ammunition which forensics linked to the criminal group.

They were all subsequently charged with drugs offences and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on July 11, last year, where they admitted supplying and conspiracy to supply illegal drugs.

On their return to the court for sentencing last Friday (January 26), all seven received custodial sentences, four of them for immediate terms of imprisonment.

Tariq, 21, of Wingrove Road, Newcastle, received a prison sentence of five years and five months.

He admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine, two counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possession of cocaine with intent and possession of ketamine with intent to supply.

Co-accused Ali, 27, of Brighton Grove, Newcastle, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply herbal cannabis and possession with intent to supply THC.

He received a prison sentence of three years and three months.

Knowles, 27, of Newman Way, Whickham, Gateshead, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and possessing a firearm without a certificate and was given a three-year prison sentence.

Cash, 27, of Strothers Road, High Spen, Gateshead, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and received a prison sentence of two years and eight months.

Charlotte Johnstone, 22, of Beaumont Court, Blaydon, and William Campbell, 22, of Burnopfield Road, Rowlands Gill, both Gateshead, each also admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine.

They received prison sentences of 21 months, suspended for two years, while Billy Galbraith, 31, of Ainslie Place, Newcastle, admitted possession of a class B drug with intent to supply and possession of MDMA.

He received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.

The Northern Echo:

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Sergeant Kate Barr, of Northumbria Police, said: “We know how harmful and addictive illegal drugs can be, which is why, through Operation Sentinel, we will continue to tackle organised crime, as well as disrupt and dismantle the individuals and groups running the supply chains.

“This has been an outstanding piece of work by officers and staff, who carefully monitored the group’s activity and built up a clear intelligence picture, spanning months of hard work prior to the arrests being made.

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“These court proceedings have been complex and a long time coming, but this result should send a clear message, that is: ‘If you are dealing drugs, do not expect to get away with it.’

“These harmful substances cause misery and we will do all we can to pursue you and put you before the courts.”

Concerns can be reported about illicit drug trading, or any others suspicious activity, by using the ‘Report’ page, on the Northumbria Police website, or by calling 101.