Court hears woman was found with 17 bags of cocaine following police search
A woman was found with 17 bags of cocaine in her handbag during a stop and search by cops.
Mechanic Muhammed Ahmed, 24, was driving a VW Golf with girlfriend Neelah Qureshi, 23, as his passenger when they were spotted pulling up and parking as another male got in the vehicle.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the vehicle drove off but stropped a short distance away which drew the suspicion of police.
Qureshi was found with 17 bags of cocaine in her handbag which held a total value of around £850.
Antonia Aidie, prosecting, said: "On the 17th of March 2024 at around half-past eight in the evening police officers observed a VW Golf pulling up outside Tesco on Stoddart Street in Newcastle.
"The driver was the defendant Muhammed Ahmed and the female passenger seat the defendant Neelah Qureshi.
"A male who was waiting in the street then approached the vehicle and got in the rear passenger seat.
"The vehicle drove off a short distance before coming to a stop where the male then exited the vehicle.
"Due to the officer's suspicions the male had purchased drugs, all three were stopped by the police and searched."
The customer confirmed he had purchased three bags of cocaine from the couple to the value of £110.
His mobile phone also showed evidence of the purchasing.
Ahmed, of Waverley Avenue, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug namely cocaine.
Qureshi, of Keldean Gardens, Fenham, Newcastle, admitted possession with intent to supply a class A drug.
Freddie Adams, defending Ahmed, told the court his client had been working as a mechanic but was struggling to financially support Qureshi who he was in a relationship with at the time.
Mr Adams said Ahmed made a stupid decision but added: "He didn't have any understanding of the scale of the operation.
"He wasn't making any decisions higher up the chain."
Claire Anderson, for Quershi, said she was "young and naïve" and had since found work as an administrator for a waste management company.
Judge Graeme Robinson sentenced the pair both to two years in prison suspended for two years.
They will also have to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and Ahmed was ordered to carry out an additional 20 rehabilitation days.