A drug dealer on the run from a shooting spent six weeks undercover as a CABBIE.
Yusuf Meah, 27, disappeared in May last year after a gun was fired in the stairwell of his flat in Openshaw. Investigating police turned up at the property after he fled, and found cash and drugs belonging to him inside.
Yusuf’s brother, Ibrahim Meah, then rented a private hire vehicle, telling the owner he would be using it on taxi app Uber.
But, instead of using it to pick up fares, Ibrahim Meah gave the vehicle to his brother to use as a getaway car. With the taxi as cover, wanted Yusuf Meah was able to travel about for weeks without police catching up with him.
However, after six weeks at large and a public appeal for information, police tracked Yusuf Meah down to a flat in Salford. Now he and his brother Ibrahim have both been locked up.
Yusuf Meah, 27, admitted possessing an imitation firearm, failing to surrender, and charges of possessing MDMA and cannabis with intent to supply. He was jailed for six years.
Ibrahim Meah, 30, of Burnage, later admitted assisting an offender and has now been sentenced to 16 months in prison. He told police following his arrest that he had believed his brother was in danger, and had put pressure on him to find him a car.
