Drug dealer lied to Court

Convicted Blackburn drug dealer, Babar Qasam, 27 years, has been ordered to payback £30,000 after a confiscation hearing was concluded today at Preston Crown Court.

Qasam was originally sentenced in October 2005 to 6 years imprisonment for possession with intent to supply Heroin.

At the confiscation hearing specialist financial investigators from the North West Regional Asset Recovery Team (RART) provided evidence that it was their belief that Qasam had hidden assets, the whereabouts of which were entirely within his knowledge. It was the Crowns' belief that he had an interest in at least two other properties in the Blackburn area that were registered in the names of other family members.

Qasam gave evidence that he had no 'realisable' property except two designer watches that were under restraint. Under cross-examination he admitted that he had lied in police interviews, during his evidence in the criminal trial and to the probation service. He also agreed that he had lied when providing information to the RART about his assets and could see no reason why the court should believe him during the confiscation hearing.

Her Honour Judge Miss Recorder Griffiths concluded that she could not rely on any of the evidence Qasam had given and concluded he had 'hidden assets'. A benefit figure of £52,818 was agreed and a confiscation order in the amount of £30,000 ordered.

He was ordered to pay the full amount within 6 months or serve an additional 18 month sentence in default.   

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