A Burnley drug addict has been sentenced for intent to supply Class A's after he profited nearly £3,000 over two years from other drug addicts.
Assim Rafiq, 29, of Townley Street, was arrested at his address on July 29, 2021.
Burnley Crown Court, sitting at Burnley Magistrates' Court, heard Lancashire Police knocked on Rafiq's door at 11.35am that summer's day.
Prosecutor Emma Clarke told the court Rafiq, from an upstairs window, told the police he would be down soon, but only opened his door after five minutes wearing just a dressing gown.
Police entered Rafiq's property where he lived alone, and said they could "smell heroin instantly", the court heard.
Upon further investigation, police found black heroin, a black Nokia mobile phone, a Samsung phone, and a blue Adidas shoe box with brown, green and white substances inside in Rafiq's bedroom, later confirming them to be drugs.
After also finding cash and digital scales, they arrested Rafiq, to which he replied, "it's not even my stuff".
Whilst police were at the address, multiple people knocked on Rafiq’s back door with cash in their hands, intended to buy drugs off him.
When police asked Rafiq for a passcode for one of the phones, he replied "You do not need to know the pin number".
He was later released on bail pending further investigation. But when police searched Rafiq’s address again, they found 16.18g of 40 per cent pure heroin, worth £920, and 5.12g of crack cocaine, worth £600.
The court heard that throughout the searches, police seized approximately £2,946, believed to be Rafiq’s profit from drug sales over a two year period.
In mitigation, Abdul Shakoor told the court whilst his client seemed to profit largely from the operation, he had been selling drugs to fund his own addiction.
He said: "He is aware of the significant sentence he is to be given for the offending, and we can only ask for mitigation on the length.
“Rafiq has letters of recommendation from his neighbour, sister-in-law, and mum, and has been struggling with anxiety and depression of which he is receiving medication for.
“In between the offences he did stay at his parent’s house in Todmorden, but began to feel overwhelmed and returned to his normal address and usual offending.
"He is a user of these drugs himself and just fell into selling to fund his addiction.
“He is getting help in custody who say he is receiving well and hopes to continue with his efforts.”
Rafiq pleaded guilty to multiple counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, namely diamorphine and crack cocaine, possession of cannabis, and being concerned in the supply of a class A drug, namely cocaine.
Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Rafiq to seven years imprisonment.
She said: “You took the money from others who were struggling themselves.
“You are still young at only 29 years-old, and I recognise that you suffer from depression and anxiety, receiving cognitive behavioural therapy.
“I have read your letters from your loved ones who speak very highly of you, but it is an all to familiar pattern with people that you have began to sell these drugs to fund your own addiction.
“From the cash, it is clear that you were making money off these proceeds.”
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