Accrington man caught trying to smuggle drugs into prison

Liaquat Ali, 58, of Church Street, Accrington, appeared at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday, October 6 having pleaded guilty in July.

The court heard Ali attended HMP Oakwood in Staffordshire as a visitor on June 14, 2024.

Prosecutor Salek Ahmed said Ali had signed in and was in a search area when a drug detection dog gave a positive indication around his groin area.

Ali was asked whether he wished to hand over any concealed items and produced a package before being arrested.

Liaquat Ali (Image: Lancashire Police)

A further search uncovered two more packages.

The court heard one package contained nicotine and two blocks of cannabis resin.

Officers also recovered three mobile phones, including a burner handset and two smartphones.

Forensic analysis later confirmed the packages contained 391g of cannabis resin and 40.2g of nicotine.

The court heard he has 38 convictions for 92 offences.

His previous convictions include possession with intent to supply class A drugs at Preston Crown Court in January 2015 and importing class A drugs at Minshull Street Crown Court in March 2016. The court also heard he committed numerous drug possession offences between 2000 and 2015.

Preston Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)

James Heyworth, mitigating, said the case could and should have been dealt with sooner.

He told the court Ali had a lifelong addiction to drugs and was now engaging with the Inspire drug and alcohol service.

Mr Heyworth said there were "shoots of hope" that his client could engage with probation and had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Sentencing, Recorder John Jones said those who smuggle drugs into prisons would normally expect to be sent to jail.

He said drugs were often used as currency within prisons and were a means of feeding addiction.

The judge said there would have to be exceptional circumstances to avoid an immediate custodial sentence.

He told Ali: "Is this an exceptional case? On its facts, no."

However, Recorder Jones said there was a prospect of rehabilitation.

He added: "This sentence is not to be regarded as overlooking or trivialising what you've done.

"But there is a prospect of rehabilitation in this case. Whether that is achieved is entirely a matter for you.

"If this chance is thrown away, you can never expect another."

Ali was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He was also made subject to a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement and a probation requirement.

The court also dealt with a breach of a suspended sentence imposed for possessing a knife. Ali was fined £200, to be paid at a rate of £20 per month.