'Oswaldtwistle dealer was high up in supply chain'

11:51am Thursday 3rd July 2008

AN ALLEGED dealer accused of being involved in drugs sales in Oswaldtwistle was ‘high up’ in the chain of supply, a court was told.

Mumtaz Khan, 51, was said to have provided a man named Kevin Barsky with amphetamine which was then sold to undercover cops, Burnley Crown Court heard.

And the jury was told Khan had a large amount of the drug stashed at his house in the town when police searched it.

Three undercover officers had been based in Oswaldtwistle trying to catch dealers out and used video and audio tapes, the court heard.

The jury was told when Khan, who operated from his home on Springhill Road, was arrested he denied being involved in supplying drugs and made no comment when charged.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty to being concerned in making an offer to supply 595 grammes of amphetamine on September 20 2005, being concerned in supplying 508 grammes of the drug on Sept 30 and possessing 531 grammes of amphetamine with intent to supply on April 19 2006.

David Temkin, prosecuting, told the jury the defendant was high up in the chain of supply.

Mr Temkin said Khan held a large amount of amphetamine and would supply to dealers lower down the chain.

That dealer would then supply others further down the chain, Mr Temkin said.

He added: "The prosecution say this defendant was an essential part of the whole criminal enterprise."

In 2005, police set up an undercover operation into the supply of illegal drugs in and around Oswaldtwistle.

It had proved successful and led to a number of prosecutions, Mr Temkin said.

Mr Temkin told the jury that the undercover officers moved into the area and were able to get important information about drugs sale and use.

Two officers were in Oswaldtwistle and in early September Barsky approached Shaun, asking if he would be interested in buying amphetamine.

A sample of the drug was provided to the officers, the officers contacted the third undercover officer and it was decided Barsky would provide half a kilo.

He was to get £950 for the deal set for September 20.

The prosecutor said in the mid afternoon Barsky went to the officer’s address in Oswaldtwistle and the three officers asked about the supply of more amphetamine. Barsky made a call to his supplier, allegedly the defendant.

Ten days later Kevin Barsky went to an officer’s house, there was a further discussion about supply and Barsky left and returned with amphetamine.

Mr Temkin said :"The prosecution say this amphetamine came from the defendant.

"Some police officers saw Kevin Barsky making the short journey on foot to Springhill Road. He made that journey several times.”

(proceeding)

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