A drug dealer was caught after he left a large stash of cocaine at Hanley’s Hilton hotel. Bilal Ahmed was due to deliver a bag containing 118 deals to someone else and booked a room at the city centre hotel.
The 23-year-old put the bag of drugs in a safe in his room and left. He was due to meet a woman but she did not turn up so he went home to Tunstall and fell asleep.
He returned the next day but hotel staff had already discovered the stash and notified the police. The defendant handed himself in. Now Ahmed has been sentenced to an 18-month community order at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Prosecutor Dylan Wagg said the defendant booked a night’s stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hanley, on December 16, 2022. Mr Wagg said: “He took with him a large bag containing 118 individual deals of cocaine. He put it in the safe.
“The following day a manager was asked to unlock the safe so it could be used by another person. He discovered the bag and handed it to the police.
“The defendant returned to the hotel and was told his drugs had been delivered to the police. A few days later he handed himself in.”
Ahmed, of The Tudors, Tunstall, pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug with intent to supply. His plea was on a basis the drugs and paraphernalia did not belong to him. He was paid £60 to deliver the items. His role was that of a courier or custodian.
Preet-Paul Tutt, mitigating, conceded it was a serious offence. Mr Tutt said: “This occurred two years ago. He was of previous good character. He has remained out of trouble. It was a one-off and out of character.”
As part of the community order Ahmed must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days and 150 hours unpaid work.
Recorder James Bromige said: “You booked a hotel room at the Hilton hotel, very near to this court building. You had in your possession a bag containing 118 wraps of cocaine which you put in a safe in the hotel room.
“You were due to meet a female friend. When she did not turn up you went home and fell asleep. You had inadvertently left the drugs in the safe. You went back the following day. They had already been discovered by the hotel staff. The police had been called. You handed yourself in to the police.
“The prosecution say you had been offered £60 by an associate to take possession of and deliver them to someone else. Your role was a custodian and a courier. I accept you were involved through your own naivety.
“I accept this was an isolated matter. You have not been in trouble before or since. You recognise the impact this has had on your family. You have let them and your wider community down as well.”
The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.
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