Drug dealer stashed more than £100k of cocaine and heroin at his home

Bolton Crown Court heard how, when police raided Ashraf Patel's house in Walker Avenue, Bolton, on November 23, 2019, he confessed there were drugs at the property but claimed they were for his personal use.

But in the kitchen and conservatory officers found a large quantities of cocaine and heroin as well as cannabis.

Alexandra Sutton, prosecuting, told how officers also found snap bags, scales, and debtors list and, when analysed, the cocaine and heroin was estimated to have a street value of £114,775.

A Nokia mobile phone contained messages relating to drug dealing dating back to 2018.

"The drugs would usually be bought in kilogram blocks before being broken down into smaller amounts," said Miss Sutton.

Police found cocaine weighing 152g, 485g of crack cocaine and 752g of heroin.

"The defendant was involved in obtaining large quantities of drugs and supplying smaller amounts to other dealers who would then split and pass on their deals," said Miss Sutton.

"The defendant was operating at a high level in the drugs trade."

When questioned by police 37-year-old Patel refused to answer. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

The court heard Patel's wife, Kimberley, was also arrested but the Crown is not continuing proceedings against her.

Mark Friend, defending, said the father-of-four has no previous convictions for drugs offences, is remorseful and recognises he faces a lengthy time in prison.

Jailing him, Recorder Sarah Johnson said: "You were involved in activity over a significant period of time and in significant quantities."

She added: "Anyone who spends time in these courts understands the devastating impact that trade has on individuals, on families and on the wider community.

"Anyone who seeks to profit, as I am satisfied you did, from the misery that is inflicted by the commercial supply of Class A drugs, can expect significant sentences."