|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: Trio facing prison on cannabis charges David Millward Getreading Thursday 11 Aug 2011 A jury at Reading Crown Court found two brothers and a woman guilty of conspiring to provide properties for the illegal manufacture of drugs in Berkshire and Surrey. The judge told the trio, all from Tilehurst, that custody is inevitable. Ajaz Asghar, 42, of Romsey Road, rented properties out through his own company and was assisted by his brother, Fiyaz Asghar, 31, of Overdown Road, and one-time lover Hayley Ellison, 29, of Don Close. Ajaz Asghar was also found guilty of renting out vehicles for use in the production of cannabis and Ellison was convicted of possessing cocaine. The jury had heard how police monitored the properties and the vehicles coming and going and the movements of the three accused over a number of weeks. One van leaving a house in Devonshire Park, South Reading, in November last year contained more than 300 cannabis plants and equipment associated with cannabis production, including plastic sheeting, lighting and transformers. A number of Vietnamese men were arrested following police searches of that property and another in Old Bath Road, West Reading, and in Clarendon Road, East Reading. Ajaz Asghar had said a lot of people he rented properties to were foreigners who wanted short-term lets and paid cash. He said he had no idea they were involved in the cultivation of cannabis and would send employees to look at properties and collect the rent. Fiyaz Asghar told the court he helped obtain properties for his brother to rent but never received any money and had nothing to do with his company, and Ellison told the court that although she did collect rents, she had no knowledge of cannabis production in the houses. However, after more than 11 hours deliberation, the jury found all three guilty on all counts. Ajaz Asghar and Ellison were released on conditional bail and Fiyaz Asghar was remanded. They must all return to the same court for sentencing on Friday, August 26. Judge Zoe Smith warned the defendants: "This is a serious matter and custody is inevitable." http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/s/2097852_trio_facing_prison_on_cannabis_charges
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!