Rawtenstall car wash was a ‘front for drugs sales’ (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rawtenstall car wash was a ‘front for drugs sales’

12:00pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

A HAND car wash in East Lancashire was allegedly used as a front for a drive-by crack cocaine and cannabis operation.

Detectives targeted the Big Shine hand car wash and valeting centre in Rawtenstall as part of an undercover inquiry over a three-month period.

Crack cocaine and cannabis are said to have been supplied by four East Lancashire men and one from West Yorkshire, from the premises off Victoria Way.

A police operation took place between January and March at the site, off Bacup Road, by Pennine police division’s targeted crime unit, which led to the arrests.

Abid Hussain, 31, of Wheatholme Street, Rawtenstall, has been charged with supplying crack cocaine and cannabis. He has also been charged with money laundering.

Imran Mahmood, 26, of Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, Tanveer Hussain, 30, of Lingwood Avenue, Bradford, Asam Iltaf, 35, of Cleaver Street, Burnley, and Robert Millar, 32, of Broadway, Haslingden, have also been charged with the drug supply offences.

Another man, Majid Hussain, 31, also of Wheatholme Street, Rawtenstall, is charged with money laundering and fraud by false representation.

The five, who are currently in custody, will appear before Burnley magistrates to answer the charges before them on September 20.