Two members of a "big time Charlie" drugs gang have been ordered to pay back just a fraction of their ill-gotten gains.
As we reported previously, an undercover police officer feared for his safety when Nessar Ali pulled out a handgun during a cocaine deal. Ali had no idea the man he was supplying was a police officer when he produced the imitation firearm and said he had come prepared. But the covert cop was fearful as he didn't know what his intentions were and whether the gun was real.
Ali, along with Aaron Momat and Christopher Scurfield, who sold £10,000 of cocaine to undercover officers in another deal, were jailed earlier this year. They were snared during an operation targeting dealers in South Tyneside in 2018. Ali sold a total of 111g, of cocaine, worth more than £5,000, to undercover police officers on twelve occasions. One of the deals was 98% pure and one weighed nine ounces.
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Now Ali and Momat have had their Proceeds of Crime Act cases resolved at Newcastle Crown Court. The court heard Ali benefited to the tune of £35,153.50 but his available assets amount to £1,390, which he must pay with 28 days or face two months prison in default.
Momat benefitted by £20,945 but his available assets are £200, which he must pay within 28 days or face 14 days prison in default. The Proceeds of Crime Act hearings of Scurfield and a fourth defendant, Santino Welsh, 26, of Harbour View, South Shields, were adjourned to a future date.
In the sentencing hearing in March, prosecutor Michael Bunch said it was during a meeting in April 2018 that Ali pulled out the fake gun. He said: "On April 27 he produced an imitation firearm, saying he had come prepared. The undercover officer said it had the appearance of a silver handgun.
"He was immediately fearful for his safety as he didn't know his intentions. It was removed from his jacket and had the appearance of a Desert Eagle weapon. He said it was an 'air'."
The court head there were calls between Ali, Welsh and Momat which prosecutors said were to make arrangements to supply drugs. On one occasion, Momat handed over a nine ounce block of cocaine to undercover officers in return for £10,000. He ran to an Audi car, driven by Scurfield, threw the cash through the window, having kept some of it for himself, then went back to the undercover officers and shook their hand.
In August 2018, Ali was seen leaning into a car driven by Momat in a way consistent with a drug deal taking place. Ali was then found to be in possession of cocaine and cash. His home was searched and 15g of cocaine were found, along with 15.8g of MDMA. The following month, he was arrested again and had 22.6g of cocaine.
Ali, 23, of Wallington Grove, South Shields, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, having an imitation firearm with intent and possessing cocaine and MDMA with intent. He was jailed for five years. Momat, 29, of Alice Street, South Shields, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and supplying cocaine. He was jailed for 40 months. Scurfield, 42, of Rowland Street, Washington, was convicted of supplying cocaine. He was jailed for five years.
Ali also admitted separate charges of affray and possessing a bladed article after going into a fried chicken shop in South Shields in July last year and threatening someone who worked there over an order he was dissatisfied with and another grudge.
David Comb, for Ali, said he was only 19 at the time and was having difficulties. Robin Patton, for Momat, said: "There's an element of boastful defendants presenting themselves as big time Charlies. If they really were big time Charlies they would be nowhere near the transaction themselves and they would not be sitting in the car with the police for 20 minutes without gloves on, if they were serious criminal masterminds. He got involved in order to finance a habit he couldn't afford. That's gone now and his financial situation is better."
Chris Knox, for Scurfield, said he is of previous good character, "has led a thoroughly helpful and useful life" and his involvement was limited to one supply.
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