Peterborough drug dealer jailed after train mistake

A drug dealer who was caught after off duty officers heard him discussing deals on a train has been jailed for more than four years - after going on the run for nearly year.
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Mohammed Shoaib (27) was snared in June 2016 after Met Police officers travelling between London Kings Cross and Peterborough heard Shoaib talking about dealing - and counting £3,000 cash - on the train.

He was arrested, and police searched his bedroom in Vere Road, Peterborough, where £15,000 in cash, cocaine worth up to £18,000 and £4,000 of heroin was found.

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In November last year Shoaib was due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to a number of offences - but instead he went on the run - and was only put back in front of the court today to face justice.

Mohammed ShoaibMohammed Shoaib
Mohammed Shoaib

He was jailed for four years and eight months by Judge Sean Enright, who said: “With a little guidance and support, you might have turned out differently. There is some good in you.”

Two co-defendants - a man and a woman, had previously received suspended sentences in connection to the case.

Michael Proctor, prosecuting, told the court: “On Wednesday, June 8 2016 two off duty Met Police officers were on a train from Kings Cross to Peterborough.

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“They overheard Shoaib and the male co-defendant on the train - they were talking about drug dealing, using phones and counting a significant amount of cash.
“They had a number of yellow carrier bags with them containing designer clothes.

“The officers contacted British Transport Police, and officers were waiting at Peterborough Station, where the two men were arrested.”

Shoaib was found with £3,000 in cash, while the other man had £1,100.

Shoaib told police his sister had given him £4,000 to go shopping - but he was taken to Thorpe Wood Police station for interview.

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He made no comment to questions from officers, but said: “I’m looking at a long stretch, aren’t I?”

Mr Proctor said: “When officers searched Shoaib’s room, they found cocaine in two batches - the biggest batch weighed 189.25g, and was valued at between £11,000 and £18,000. The small batch weighed 5.87g, and was valued at £234.

They also found three batches of heroin, with a combined weight of 188.42g. Two of the batches were valued at £1,800, with one valued at £600.

“They also found scales, latex gloves and a dealer list.”

The court was told Shoaib had two convictions for burglary, one for drink driving and one for drug driving in the past.

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Mauro Maselli, defending, said Shoaib was entitled to 33 per cent discount for his guilty pleas, which were made in May 2017.

After the pleas were taken, Shoaib was given bail - but did not turn up for sentencing in November.

A nationwide police appeal was launched - and he was finally brought in front of Cambridge Crown Court last week, where he admitted failing to surrender.

Shoaib had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in making an offer to supply a class A drug, two counts of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, and one count of possession of criminal property.

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He was given a 32 month sentence for each count of being concerned in making an offer to supply class A drugs, to be served concurrently to each other, 24 months for each count of possession with intent to supply, to be served concurrently to each other but consecutively to the 32 month sentence, 12 months for possession of criminal property, to be served concurrently to all sentences, and four months for failing to surrender, also to be served concurrently to the other sentences.

Proceeds of Crime proceedings, which could see money Shoaib gained through his drug dealing seized, are still ongoing.

The male co-defendant had been given a 12 month sentence, suspended for 24 months and 200 hours unpaid work after admitting possession of criminal property and offences concerning cannabis.

The female was given the same sentence having been found guilty at a trial of perverting the course of justice.