A drug dealer who was found in possession of cocaine and cannabis tried to evade justice by giving police a false name. When police searched his home they found a number of expensive watches, a quad bike and electric bike, and a money-counting machine.
Nazrul Amin, 32, was spotted by police in Newport at 1.30am on April 1 while driving a BMW X5 which was "of interest" to the authorities. When he reached Rogerstone the car came to a stop and he was approached by the officers.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard the defendant gave the false name of Mohammed Alim and his car was searched. Police recovered a quantity of cash, two mobile phones, and white powder in the central console which was found to be 0.55g of cocaine and nine individual deals of cocaine weighing between 0.5g and 0.7g each.
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When Amin was told he being arrested he attempted to run away from the officers but was tackled to the ground and PAVA sprayed. He was then arrested and taken into custody.
Police initially attended the home of the defendant's mother but was told he had not lived there for more than three years. He gave them another address but this was found to be the home of Mohammed Alim who had nothing to do with the offences.
Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said Amin's identity came to light after his fingerprints were taken and his profile was found on the system. His real home address was searched and was found to contain 160g of cannabis packaged into smaller deals and marked as different strains of cannabis.
Also found at the address was £15,620 in cash, weighing scales, a money-counting machine, a quad bike, an electric bike, and watches from brands such as Rolex, Armani, and Tag Heuer. The total value of the drugs found were between £2,380 and £2,500.
Nazrul, of Telford Close, Rogerstone, gave a "no comment" interview but he later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, driving while disqualified and with no insurance, possession of criminal property, and obstructing and resisting a constable. The court heard he had previously been dealt with for possession of cocaine and cannabis and driving while disqualified.
In mitigation defence barrister Ben Waters said there was a "different side" to his client's character who had started his own business and was earning between £45,000 and £50,000 a year. But following the death of his father in November 2022 he developed a dependency on Class A drugs which left him unable to work. Mr Waters said the married father-of-three was "given an opportunity" to sell drugs but "the net closed on him quickly".
Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced Nazrul to a total of 42 months imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and nine months.
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