Darwen man had £100,000 of drugs (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen man had £100,000 of drugs

9:00pm Sunday 21st October 2012 in News

A MAN caught with more than £100,000 worth of drugs has been jailed for six years.

Junaid Gul was in possession of nearly £64,000 worth of cocaine, plus over 13,000 ecstasy tablets and nearly half a kilo of cannabis skunk.

Preston Crown Court heard how he got involved because of a drug debt to his own supplier.

The drugs were found in a house where he was living in Burton Close, Darwen and also in a vehicle outside.

The 33-year-old had pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and ecstasy with intent to supply and also possessing cannabis. Officers executed a search warrant at the house in May this year.

Nick Kennedy, prosecuting, said the house owner had not been in favour of the address being let to the defendant, but he was persuaded to let him move in.

On the morning of May 25, Gul was seen to pull up on the driveway in a van. He had a paint tub containing just short of half a kilo of cannabis skunk.

A search was then made of the home by officers. Six bags of cocaine were discovered in a bedroom safe when it was opened.

A holdall containing 13,390 ecstasy tablets was recovered from a vehicle on the driveway. This included four vacuum sealed bags, each containing 3,000 tablets.

In the kitchen of the property there was nearly half a kilo of benzocaine, which can be used to mix with cocaine.

Cocaine powder was found on the blades of a food blender.

The prosecution said equipment was found which was being used to produce compacted powder.

In all, the drugs had a street value of more than £100,000, added Mr Kennedy.

The defendant had no previous convictions for possession with intent, or supplying.

Darren Lee-Smith, defending, told the court: "He accepts that he is facing a substantial period in custody."

Gul had got involved because he had run up a £2,500 drug debt to his supplier, the court heard.

He had been able to service his debt while working, but in March this year was suddenly made redundant.

"He was exploited by others further up the chain", added Mr Lee-Smith.

"The address used was a separate one from where his family were living.”

Judge Michael Byrne said in passing sentence: "There was a substantial industry of supply and provision for supply going on at the premises.”