Blackburn dad faces prison over cannabis bags

A CROWN court judge has told a Blackburn father-of-three that he could be facing jail after rejecting claims he was ‘minding’ 65 bags of cannabis found in his home.

Police raided Imtiaz Ali’s property in Logwood Street, Bastwell, and discovered 10 larger bags of the drug and 55 smaller packages, strewn around various rooms, Preston Crown Court heard.

Ali told the court he was ‘looking after’ the cannabis for a drug dealer, who he refused to name, and had not been trading in cannabis himself.

“If I name the person it will come back on me and I will get killed,” said Ali, who admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply but denied commercial dealing.

The court heard bags were found in his bedroom and behind a television in the lounge, among other places, alongside razor blades and measuring scales. He was also caught with nearly £600, which he claimed was to pay his rent that day.

Rejecting the defendant’s ‘minding’ claims, Recorder Anthony Cross QC said that after hearing the evidence, he was sure Ali had been ‘bagging up’ the cannabis for dealing.

Ali, who is set to marry for the second time, was remanded on bail until August 29 for sentence, on condition he surrenders his passport to the court.