Watch the moment police bust an ‘untouchable’ drug gang 'ruling' Leeds estate

This was the dramatic moment police broke-up a large-scale drug gang who had gripped a Leeds estate with a ‘culture of fear’.

Eight people have been jailed after a neighbourhood policing-led investigation into the operation in the Halton Moor estate. Led by Christopher Hargreaves, 46, alongside members of his family and associates, they were involved in supplying cocaine and cannabis across the city.

Following the convictions, West Yorkshire Police has released video footage of raids on two properties on Rathmell Road. It includes drone capture of the moment officers sprang from vehicles and swarmed a home on the estate.

Detective Inspector Alastair Nicholls said: “This has been a longstanding investigation by the Neighbourhood Policing Team, building the evidence over a number of years to dismantle this organised crime group. Everyone that has been involved has worked incredibly hard, and these outcomes are testament to that.

“It is clear that the Hargreaves family and associates have run the Halton Moor estate through a culture of fear. When we carried out raids at their properties, we found weapons including machetes and a Taser, showing they were willing to use violence or the fear of violence to maintain their criminal enterprise.

“I imagine they, and other members of the community, thought they were untouchable. This investigation demonstrates they were not and that we have the knowledge and expertise within our local neighbourhood policing teams, supported by specialist colleagues, to tackle serious organised crime such as this.”

Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team initially became aware of drug dealing out of a property occupied by Christopher Hargreaves on Rathmell Road, Leeds, in 2023 and a warrant was executed at the address in the March of that year. At that stage it appears drug users were directly collecting their drugs from the property.

By the summer of 2025, officers had identified that both cannabis and cocaine were being supplied through a drugs line with the drugs being delivered to users. Officers were able to link the telephone number to Christopher Hargreaves and Kasey Simpson.

In the September of that year, officers executed further warrants at two addresses on Rathmell Road and arrested Kyle Hargreaves and Kasey Simpson. The properties had been fortified with metal grills on the inside, there was film over the windows to prevent police entry, CCTV surrounding the property and weapons ready by entry points.

Significant seizures were made from the properties including cannabis, cocaine, drug dealing paraphernalia, phones and weapons. Officers also seized a number of assets, including cash, jewellery, watches and designer clothing. Evidence was found of a fire in the kitchen where they had tried to burn evidence, including a mobile phone.

The neighbourhood policing team worked with Leeds City Council who obtained closure orders, making it an arrestable offence for the tenants to return to the properties.

DI Nicholls added: “This investigation started from one piece of intelligence. From that we have built the evidence that has ensured that everyone from the crime boss to the runners has admitted their role in this drug dealing operation and been sentenced accordingly.

“It is also worth noting that one of the defendants, Leah Hargreaves, has also been sentenced for failing to provide her PIN number when ordered to by police. Those involved in drug dealing should be aware that we will use every bit of legislation and power available to us to bring to justice those involved in these offences.”

Following the raids, Christopher Hargreaves was circulated as wanted. He was arrested two months later at a hotel at Skelton Lake services, when he was found to be in possession of several thousand pounds in cash.

During his arrest, he was seen to throw a mobile phone out of a window which was recovered by police and contained further evidence of his and others involvement in the supply of both cannabis and cocaine. It also showed that Tyler Foley had been assisting him in evading the police.

DI Nicholls said: “Drug dealing and other organised criminality does not have to be tolerated in our communities. If you have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in your neighbourhood then please report it, either directly to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

Arrests followed in December 2025 and January 2026 for Farooq Azam, Tyler Foley, Victoria Snook, Leah Hargreaves and Macaulay Clark.

Full details of those sentenced are:

• Christopher Hargreaves, aged 46, of Rathmell Road, Halton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A drug and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug between 2 March 2023 and 2 December 2025 and has been given an eight year custodial sentence;
• Kyle Hargreaves, aged 19, of Rathmell Road, Halton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A drug and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug between 2 March 2023 and 15 September 2025 and has been given a custodial sentence of five years and four months;
• Farooq Azam, aged 52, of Easterly Crescent, Gipton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A drug and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug between 2 March 2023 and 2 December 2025 and has been given a custodial sentence of four years and six months;
• Macaulay Clark, aged 21, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of class A and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B from 2 March 2023 to 2 December 2025 and has been given a custodial sentence of three years and nine months;
• Victoria Snook, aged 41, of Rathmell Road, Halton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a Class A drug and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug between 2 March 2023 and 2 December 2025 was given a custodial sentence of two years and three months, suspended for two years, with requirements to carry out rehabilitation activity and unpaid work;
• Leah Hargreaves, aged 23, of Rutland Drive, Kippax, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of class A from 2 March 2023 to 2 December 2025 and failing to comply with a Section 49 notice to disclose the key to protected information and has been given a custodial sentence of two years, suspended for two years, with requirements to carry out rehabilitation activity and unpaid work;
• Tyler Foley, aged 29, of Hamilton View, Leeds, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender between 15 September 2025 and 27 November 2025 was given a nine month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, with requirements to carry out rehabilitation activity and unpaid work; and
• Kasey Simpson, aged 29, of Rathmell Road, Halton, pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property on 15 September 2025, conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B between 2 March 2023 and 15 September 2025 and was given a two year community order which includes rehabilitation activity and a three-month curfew.