Three years in prison for drug dealer operating the ‘Cobi’ line in Cambridge

A drug dealer who ran a criminal enterprise supplying class A drugs across Cambridge has been jailed.

Officers arrested Mohammed Ali in Cambridge on 13 April last year after spotting him carrying out a suspected drug deal in Petersfield Gardens.

Custody photo of Mohammed Ali

Ali was carrying crack cocaine and heroin worth £2,670 as well as £1,500 in cash and two mobile phones. He attempted to run from police and bit one of the officers on the arm as he was being arrested.

One of the phones rang 75 times after his arrest and investigations revealed it was used to operate the ‘Cobi’ drugs line between 12 February and 13 April 2023.

The drugs seized by police

Officers searched Ali’s home in Swanspool, Peterborough, where they found a further £3,310 in cash as well as other drug paraphernalia.

Ali was sentenced to three years in prison at Huntingdon Law Courts on Friday (19 April). He previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. He also pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property, possession of cannabis and assaulting an emergency worker.

PC Ollie Hagen, from the southern neighbourhood support team, said: “Ali originally claimed he was being forced to sell drugs but the evidence demonstrated he was operating a class A drug enterprise in Cambridge. He would travel from Peterborough and send hundreds of messages to vulnerable drug users advertising crack cocaine and heroin for sale and then pocket the cash.”

If you suspect drug dealing in your area, report it to police online.