Portsmouth drug mule with links to 'serious organised crime' is jailed for more than two years
Zaman Ahmed pleaded guilty to drug offences relating to both cocaine and cannabis.
A drug dealer thought to have links to “serious organised crime” has been put behind bars.
Zaman Ahmed from Upper Arundel Street, Landport, previously pleaded guilty to a slew of crimes, including the supply of cocaine and possessing cannabis. He also admitted to driving while disqualified, and driving without third-party insurance.
At Portsmouth Crown Court, over the course of two days, the 40-year-old was sentenced for his offences.
The court heard how between March and November last year, Ahmed was supplying cocaine, with drugs being ferried in and out of his home. During that stint, a police officer found him to be in possession of cannabis, which sparked a full investigation into his actions.
A pre-sentence report from the probation service claimed that Ahmed was addicted to drugs at the time of his offending, blamed the officer who arrested him for cannabis possession for his downfall, and that the links to organised crime were “strong”.
Representing Ahmed, solicitor Robert Harding disrupted how close the defendant’s connection with organised crime actually was.
He said: “Ahmed says he had been pressured. He entirely blames the police officer for starting the process that has led him to where he finds himself.
“Whilst he does blame the officer, he did accept responsiblity for his actions.
“I would say it’s hard to square links to organised crime - that’s a pejorative statement. Being exploited by organised crime is not the same as having a strong link to them.”
Such were Mr Harding’s disputes with the pre-sentence report that Ahmed’s sentencing was adjourned from Wednesday, May 20 to Thursday, May 21.
His driving offences were not so contentious, with it being firmly established that on November 25 last year, Ahmed was found driving a Nissan Qashqai in Fratton Road, without insurance, having already been disqualified.
Recorder Charles Langley sentenced Ahmed to 30 months in prison, concurrent for all offences, and disqualified from driving for 18 months. The drugs and paraphernalia seized by police will also be destroyed.