Drug dealer with 127,000 of 'unexplained' bank deposits is jailed after being caught red-handed

A drug dealer who continued his illicit trade even after being caught by the police, and had more than 127,000 of "unexplained" deposits in his bank account has been jailed.

Raza Hussain was let out on bail after being caught red-handed once, but within months he was back to his old tricks, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

On 13 May 2023, police pulled over a Seat Leon on West Road, Newcastle. They had information linking the car to drug activity and there were three people in the vehicle, with Hussain in the back seat.

The court was told that police detected a strong smell of cannabis and spotted Nitrous Oxide canisters in the passenger footwell. There was a tub containing ten bags of cocaine worth around 500 and a Pringles container which held 745 in cash.

Hussain was arrested but managed to wriggle out of handcuffs and flee, although he was then chased down and apprehended. His mobile was seized and revealed he had been dealing various drugs.

He had sent numerous promotional messages offering various drugs for sale and incentives for people introducing new customers to him. He also claimed he had drivers working for him who would deliver deals, reports Chronicle Live.

Between January 2022 and May 2023, 42,624 of "unexplained third party credits" entered his bank account.

In relation to those offences, Hussain, 26, of Western Avenue, West Denton, Newcastle, admitted to being involved in the supply of MDMA, cannabis and ketamine, possessing cocaine with intent to supply, transferring criminal property and possessing criminal property.

Having been granted bail, he was back to selling drugs again within a few months.

Just after 9pm on 10 November 2023, police observed a man enter a Fiat 500 driven by Kirstie Stewart on Waterloo Street, Newcastle. Hussain was in the back and the car was driven around the corner, where the other man disembarked.

He was halted and searched and found to be carrying cocaine, which he claimed he had just purchased for 100, and he provided the dealer's number to the police. The police had trailed the Fiat, which stopped near Hussain's home, and he was apprehended.

Police discovered 25 bags of cocaine weighing approximately 8.5g, 721 in cash and two mobile phones. Stewart had two wraps of cocaine concealed in her bra and a small quantity of cannabis.

A search of Hussain's residence yielded 2,990 in cash and a subsequent examination of his phone revealed he had been dealing cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.

Between May 2023 and March 2025, there were unaccounted deposits into Hussain's account totalling 84,967.

Stewart had reached out to Hussain in November 2023 enquiring when she could start working for him, stating she needed money.

In relation to those offences, Hussain pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine, being involved in the supply of cannabis and ketamine, transferring criminal property and possessing criminal property. Stewart, 29, of Hunters Place, Spital Tongues, Newcastle, admitted to being involved in the supply of cocaine.

Hussain was sentenced to a total of four years in prison, while Stewart received a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years with 200 hours of unpaid work. A timetable under the Proceeds of Crime Act was established and will be addressed at a later date.

Jane Foley, representing Hussain, described him as immature at the time and stated: "Following the death of his father he descended into substance misuse, gambling and associating with wholly inappropriate peers."

Miss Foley explained that he accumulated drug debts and resorted to dealing under pressure from those he owed.

She continued: "It explains how this previously promising young man came to involve himself in serious criminality. Those circumstances no longer exist.

"Since his arrest he has abstained from drugs and alcohol and has returned to practice his faith. He has immersed himself in voluntary work in the hope of securing tangible employment. He also plays a significant role in supporting his mother, who suffers chronic ill-health."

Penny Hall, representing Stewart, said: "Her involvement was on one occasion only. There was no actual supply by her."

Miss Hall added that Stewart had been pressured into it by a partner, not Hussain.

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