A man from Yorkshire has been given a jail sentence of more than 13 years for conspiracy to supply over £40,000 of cocaine.
Ermal Biba was jailed at Leeds Crown Court today after an investigation into the supply of cocaine in the Harrogate area conducted by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YH ROCU).
The operation identified Biba as orchestrating the movement of the Class A drug from London to the North Yorkshire town.
Officers stopped a vehicle on the A1 near Doncaster and a subsequent search located a kilo of cocaine with an estimated street value of £40,000.
A number of property searches in Harrogate resulted in further quantities of cocaine being found, together with £8,700 in cash.
Appearing before the court for sentencing today, Biba, aged 42, of Trafalgar Court, Harrogate, who previously admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine between 1 June, 2019 and 6 May 2022, was jailed for 13 years and six months.
The conviction forms part of a separate drugs conspiracy investigation conducted by North Yorkshire Police.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Al Burns of the YH ROCU said: “I’m pleased that a significant sentence has been given to this individual by the court for his role in what was a considerable organised operation supplying Class A drugs into the Harrogate area.
“It should stand as a real example of the lengthy custodial penalties those who choose to become involved in this kind of behaviour can face. Drugs and drug dealing cause harm and misery to communities across Yorkshire and The Humber.”
Anyone who has information about drug dealing in their communities is urged to contact the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111. Reports to Crimestoppers can be made in total anonymity, and all intelligence is investigated.
