Dealer dad caught with £900,000 worth of drugs

Published 24 Mar 2010 11:18

A DRUG-DEALING dad faces a lengthy jail term after being caught with more than £900,000 worth of heroin and speed.

Mohammed Asif was arrested in June 2009 after police officers swooped on two properties in Alloa and Kirkcaldy, following lengthy and complex surveillance carried out by Fife Constabulary Drug Squad as part of Operation Remit,

At the two properties to which Asif had access, officers recovered heroin with a potential street value of £815,000 and speed which could have been sold for up £106,000.

Asif (37) admitted being concerned in the supply of both drugs when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow last Wednesday.

Judge Lord Kinclaven remanded him in custody and deferred sentencing until next month for reports.

Surveillance had been carried out on Asif, where he was seen entering homes in Malcolms Meadow, Kirkcaldy, and Gavins Road, Alloa. He was often spotted carrying "something" into the properties then leaving empty handed.

On 20 June last year, police were tipped off that Asif was to receive a quantity of heroin that day.

He was followed after meeting a man driving a BMW before being stopped near Cowdenbeath in Fife. Asif was found to have almost £1000 in cash on him as well as two sets of keys.

The properties in Kirkcaldy and Alloa were searched and drugs were seized. Asif's DNA was recovered from the raids.

Asif's QC said the dad-of-two was a "somewhat unusual client" describing him as "articulate and intelligent".

Edgar Prais, defending, added, "As far as being a son, brother, husband and father is concerned, he appears to be exemplary."

Mr Prais also told the court that Asif, of Conland Court, Glenrothes, was fully aware that he was going to be jailed.

Lord Kinclaven warned him to expect a "significant" sentence when he appears at the High Court in Edinburgh next month.

Asif also faces a further hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Speaking after the hearing, Jim Robertson, District Procurator Fiscal at Kirkcaldy, said, "Drugs can have a terrible impact on lives and communities.

"Prosecutors and police are absolutely dedicated to ridding our towns and cities of drugs and bringing dealers to justice.

"I hope that Mohammed Asif's conviction is particularly welcomed by the people of Kirkcaldy and Alloa, and serves as a strong deterrent to others who still attempt to profit from this trade."

As reported in the Advertiser over the past couple of weeks, the drugs trade in Clackmannanshire has been severely disrupted following a number of raids and arrests carried out by officers from Central Scotland Police.

The crackdown on local dealers has been mainly due to intelligence gathered by community police officers and tip-offs from the public.

Earlier this month, low-level drug dealers in Tullibody and Tillicoultry were targeted in a series of high profile raids, resulting in the recovery of a handgun, cannabis resin, heroin and £1600 in cash.

And last week, seven suspected dealers in Alloa and Tullibody were arrested in connection with the supply of cocaine and diazepam. Around £6000 worth of drugs were also seized.

There has also been a crackdown on those selling drugs near pubs and clubs in the area.

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