A delivery driver was found with a massive stash of drugs in his car after being stopped by police in Manchester. Aqil Suleman’s car was searched on Deansgate by uniformed police back on 8 August 2021.
The 25-year-old appeared at Manchester Crown Court today (May 4) for sentencing where it was heard how officers could smell cannabis as they approached his car.
A search was carried out and while nothing was found on his person, a large quantity of drugs was discovered hidden next to the steering wheel of Suleman’s vehicle.
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The court heard how illegal substances such as MDMA, cocaine and cannabis were found in the car placed in multiple snap bags including 40 ‘bright yellow’ pills with the Facebook logo engraved on them.
As well as the drugs, the sum of £125 and a black phone were collected during the search and a number of texts sent by Suleman were read out in court.
Prosecuting barrister Aubrey Sampson told the court how messages like “I’m in the car park” and “ready in 20 minutes” indicated that Suleman was going from ‘area to area' supplying drugs.
The court heard how Suleman, of Keyham Lane, Leicester, had a ‘drugs debt’ that he was ‘paying off’ and defence barrister Rachel White told proceedings how there was an ‘element of exploitation’ regarding his case. White described Suleman who is a delivery driver, as a ‘young man who has learned his lesson from his offending and has stayed out of trouble since his arrest.’
The court heard how ‘he has kept his nose clean’ since his arrest almost three years ago and when addressing Suleman after his sentencing, Recorder Jon Close said: "Do what you have to do by way of rehabilitation and you won't see the inside of a prison cell."
Suleman pleaded guilty to the offence of possession with intent to supply. He was handed a two year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days in rehab and 128 days of unpaid work.
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