JAILED: Taxi driver found with huge haul of weapons and £1.5m worth of drugs
A taxi driver found with an arsenal of weapons and £1.5m worth of drugs was starting a 20-year 10 month prison sentence today.
Mohammed Asif leapt naked from an upstairs window when police burst into his home in the early hours of May 26, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The married 30-year-old landed on a wheelie bin and was quickly detained by officers who ringed the Queens Road, Smethwick property, revealed Mr Nicholas Smith, prosecuting.
Over £60,000 worth of cocaine and heroin was hidden in various places throughout the address along with a large collection of mobile phones, face masks, knives and digital scales.
A bag with over £45,000 was concealed behind the cushions of a settee.
Two sets of car keys were discovered during the search which Asif said were both for the Skoda parked on his drive but only one opened it. A simultaneous raid was carried out by police at a house in Bearwood Road, Smethwick, occupied by tenants but linked to the defendant, where there was another Skoda.
Mr Smith continued: “When opened it was found to be packed with drugs and guns.” The haul included three revolvers, two of which were loaded and ammunition for the third.
There was also a shotgun and cartridges, a Taser stun gun, 23.5 half kilo blocks of heroin with a street value of £1.2m together with a large amount of cocaine, material capable of producing a batch of the synthetic drug Spice valued at £50,000 and around 200 rounds of ammunition.
Asif bought and sold cars as well as working as a taxi driver but his income was ‘extremely modest,’ maintained Mr Oliver Blunt QC, defending.
“He has no history of ever being involved in anything of this kind before. It is completely out of his league and suggests there must be others involved. But he accepts that, even if he was not the leader, he was playing a leading role.”
Asif admitted possession with intent to supply heroin, cocaine and synthetic cannabis together with possession of firearms and ammunition.
Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Victoria Brown , from West Midlands Police, said: "A lot of diligent police work by the Sandwell Neighbourhood Taskforce enabled us to identify Asif as a key player in the supply of drugs in the region.
"We managed to seize a substantial amount of high value Class A substances which were destined to flood the streets along with guns with the potential to cause harm in the wrong hands.
"Asif was so desperate to avoid being caught that he was prepared to jump from a first floor window with no clothes on.
"He was also caught with his pants down at court as the weight of evidence against him led to a lengthy jail term.
"This sentencing should serve as a strong warning that drugs and illegal guns in our region will not be tolerated.
"We have all seen the misery they can cause and anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."
