A drug dealer who had customers queuing up to buy his crack cocaine has been locked up after more than £30,000 in cash was seized from his home.

Mohammed Hamza would drop off drugs, collect money at properties or carry out exchanges from a vehicle, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 22-year-old was stopped on Surrey Street, Middlesbrough, in May last year and police seized a quantity of money along with a mobile phone.

He was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and taken into custody before being released while officers examined the phone.

Before the investigation was completed, Hamza was spotted parked on Longford Street in Middlesbrough on Monday, December 11 where he was seen by a member of the public exchanging drug deals from the passenger side of the vehicle.

Officers stopped the grey BMW and a large amount of money was found stuffed in his chest pocket and a subsequent strip search resulted in wraps of crack cocaine being seized.

A sports bag was found in the attic of Hamza’s home with an excess of £30,000 of cash inside and a further £500 found in the kitchen along with two burner phones that were used to send text messages offering the sale of drugs.

The Northern Echo: Mohammed HamzaMohammed Hamza (Image: Cleveland Police)

Hamza, of Vaynor Drive, Ingleby Barwick, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and money laundering.

He was jailed for four years and three months.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Castle, from Cleveland Police’s Dedicated Drug Unit, said: “Hamza was involved in the day-to-day pick up of money and drugs but also recruited others to assist him.

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“We would see people queuing up in alleyways waiting to buy the drugs that they were severely addicted too, which he would be benefiting from financially.

“The information we received from members of the public, and the officers on the ground who witnessed the activity taking place, played a huge part in his arrest and subsequent conviction.

“As this case demonstrates, it shows the value information can have and our commitment to act on it.”

Information can be reported by calling Cleveland Police on 101 or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.