A TAXI driver who claimed he had been duped into storing thousands of pounds worth of drugs has been sentenced.

Abdul Ghafoor, 27, of Lytham Street Halifax, was arrested during a police raid on his family home. Officers uncovered 1,000g of potent cannabis bush laid out to dry in a spare room. The stash was worth £4,500.

Ghafoor denied any knowledge of the drugs, claiming they had been left by a relative. He was charged with possession with intent to supply and pleaded guilty on the eve of his trial at Bradford Crown Court.

Prosecutor Adrian Robinson said: "His role was to allow a close relative to use his property to dry cannabis but the suggestion is that he didn't know about the drugs arrival or that he asked for them to be removed and that he didn't stand to make any gain from them."

The father-of-two moved to the UK from Pakistan in 1999. His house was raided on June 29 last year.

His lawyer, Abdul Iqbal said: "When the defendant became aware of the drugs he made it clear he was very unhappy but it was a difficult position because they were members of his wife's family. He had little option but to fall out with them if the point was pushed. False promises were made to him.

"He is 27 years old, of good character.

 

A family man with two young children, with a good work ethic, who has worked ever since he came to the UK."

Ghafoor was sentenced to 28 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to undertake 150 hours community work.

 

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/viewarticle.aspx?sectionid=700&articleid=2098678