A group of eight people charged following a major drugs operation across Oxfordshire made their initial appearances at Oxford Crown Court on 23 July.
Large-scale policing operation
The arrests followed a significant police operation that deployed about 150 officers and included raids in Oxford, Bicester, Witney and Abingdon. Seized items reportedly included cocaine, heroin and cannabis, according to court paperwork.
Who has been charged
The defendants appeared from custody. No pleas were entered at the first hearing; they are due to enter pleas at the next court date on 28 August. A provisional trial date has been set for 30 November.
- Zian Riasat, 30, of Castle Street, Bicester
- Mohammad Ali, 25, of Flaxfield Road, Oxford
- Ari Shaho, 26, of Gladstone Road, Oxford
- Abdullah Mohammad, 30, of Abingdon Road, Oxford
- Darren Holden, 38, of Highworth Place, Witney
- Jamie Lamont-Holden, 20, of Girdlestone Road, Headington
- Rafaqat Hussain, 48, of Rose Hill, Oxford
- Nicola Ford, 58, of Clements Street, Oxford
The charges vary between the defendants but centre on conspiracies to supply controlled drugs.
| Defendant | Age | Alleged offences (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| Zian Riasat | 30 | Two counts of conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine and heroin); one count of conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis) |
| Mohammad Ali | 25 | Two counts of conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine and heroin); one count of conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis) |
| Ari Shaho | 26 | Two counts of conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine and heroin); one count of conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis) |
| Abdullah Mohammad | 30 | Two counts of conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine and heroin); one count of conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis) |
| Darren Holden | 38 | One count conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine); one count conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis) |
| Jamie Lamont-Holden | 20 | One count conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine); one count conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis) |
| Rafaqat Hussain | 48 | Two counts conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine and heroin); one count conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis) |
| Nicola Ford | 58 | One count conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine); one count conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis) |
Next steps and local impact
At the next hearing on 28 August the defendants are due to enter their pleas. If the matter proceeds to trial, the provisional date on the court list is 30 November. Cases of this scale typically require significant preparation from both the prosecution and defence, including disclosure of evidence seized during the operation.
Large drug policing operations can have ripple effects in local communities, prompting questions about supply chains, harm reduction and police resource allocation. Residents concerned about drug activity are encouraged to report information to Thames Valley Police via official channels so investigators can build cases while preserving public safety.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor court listings and report further details as hearings progress.
