DRUGS IN CABS
MIDDLESBROUGH CABBIE JAILED AFTER BEING PAID FOR DRUG DEALING IN CRACK COCAINE
A former Middlesbrough cabbie, who claimed he was paid for selling drugs in crack cocaine, has been sentenced to three years in prison. Abhad Ahmed, 38, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on January 16, where the court heard how his descent into the drug trade has cost him “his wife, his job and his home.” The court was told of two separate incidents where Ahmed was caught distributing Class A drugs. In June 2024, police stopped Ahmed while he was behind the wheel of his taxi. Officers discovered over £1,000 worth of cocaine in the footwell, while Ahmed had a further 8.4 grams of crack cocaine “stuffed down his underwear.” Despite being granted bail, Ahmed was arrested again in October 2025. Police followed him into a KFC drive-thru after witnessing a drug deal from a Volkswagen Golf.
During this second arrest, officers found bags of cocaine hidden in his socks and a further 32 individual deals inside the car. In mitigation, Ahmed’s legal representative, David Taylor, argued that his client was not making a financial profit but was trapped in a cycle of addiction. Ahmed reportedly began using drugs six years ago following a devastating diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is now in remission. “He was paid in crack cocaine, to
which he was addicted,” Mr. Taylor told the court. “He also used it to medicate for his cancer.” The court heard that since his arrests, Ahmed’s life has unravelled. Having been stripped of his taxi licence, Mr. Taylor noted that the 38-year-old has “lost his wife, and house.” Sentencing Ahmed to three years, Judge Nathan Moxon acknow- ledged the “devastating” nature of the defendant’s health struggles but rejected them as a justification for criminal activity. “Many people are diagnosed with cancer and they don’t deal drugs,” the Judge told Ahmed. Ahmed, who pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, is expected to serve 40% of his sentence behind bars before being considered for release.
PH DRIVER & PASSENGER ARRESTED IN WAKEFIELD AFTER POLICE SEIZE LARGE QUANTITY OF DRUGS
On Sunday 18 January 2026, PC Gale and PC Baker were conducting their routine patrols of the Flanshaw and Alverthopre areas of Wakefield when they spotted a suspicious male being picked up by a private hire vehicle. Recent community intelligence has been gathered regarding drug dealers using PHVs as a mode of transport to distribute drugs in this area and this has increased over the last month. The car was followed and was seen driving away from two suspect drug users.
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intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin. When searching the passengers’ details through police systems, it was discovered that he was wanted for a
The vehicle was stopped and both the driver, passenger and vehicle was searched. An estimated 140 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin was located plus a significant amount of cash. Both the driver and passenger were arrested for possession with
recall to prison and was arrested for this additional offence. Both were taken to Normanton police station where CID continued the investigation and the passenger will be going to prison whilst further enquires are completed.
FEBRUARY 2026 PHTM
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