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£15K fine for dealer

31/ 1/2008

A SUSPECTED drug dealer caught with £50 worth of cannabis is being ordered to pay £15,000 – 300 times the value of his illegal stash.

Umer Safdar has been ordered to pay out the staggering fee by Bolton Crown Court following his conviction for possession of the class C drug with intent to supply.

The 20-year-old, of Mitchell Street, Spotland, was given 150 hours of community service in September, having originally been caught with the drug in his Honda Civic car in December 2006.

But prosecutors then applied for the cash through under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The courts have the power to seize a minimum of £1,000 in assets if it is suspected that the cash will be put to an illegal use.

Detective Inspector Daryl Chadwick said Safdar’s case sends out a strong message to other criminals.

“Rochdale police does not tolerate drug dealing,” he said.

“The decision to confiscate such a large amount of cash compared with the value of the drugs originally seized demonstrates the commitment of the court to the same cause.

“I am sure this decision will have a significant impact on Mr Safdar.

“The seizure of assets hits offenders where it hurts the most – in the pocket.”

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