News Beat
Preston drug dealers trafficked cannabis from Bolton
Hafiz Razaq, 40, Deepak Singh, 40, were both caught out by an investigation by Lancashire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit between May 2023 and July 2024.
This month they were brought before Preston Crown Court alongside Jordan Riddick, 27, a customer of Razaq’s who became involved in the plot.
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “During the investigation, around 30kg of cannabis was seized as were three handguns and 14 rounds of ammunition.
The principal figure in the operation was Hafiz Razaq who coordinated the cannabis supply and had a network of customers throughout the region.
“Cannabis was sourced from associates in the Bolton area which was then supplied on.
“On December 1 2023, Razaq was seen outside his home address putting heavily laden big bags into the boot of his car.
“A short time later, Razaq met with a courier on the outskirts of Preston.
“After that meeting, the courier’s car was stopped on the M6 near to Lancaster.
“In the boot of the car were bin bags containing eight-and-a-half kilos of cannabis skunk.
“On January 9 2024, Razaq travelled to Bolton and was seen placing bags into his car.
“He travelled back to his home and later that day, met with Deepak Singh and another man in Preston.
“An exchange took place, with Singh and the other man followed by officers as they travelled towards Cumbria.
“Eight kilos of cannabis were found in the boot. The cannabis was intended for Jordan Riddick who lived in Barrow, with Riddick a customer of Razaq.
“A search of Singh’s home recovered three handguns and 14 compatible rounds of ammunition from a rucksack in his bedroom.
All three men were jailed at Preston Crown Court.
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Razaq, 40, formerly of Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
This will run consecutively with a sentence of six-and-a-half years handed down earlier this year at Cardiff Crown Court for a firearms offence, bringing his total to nine years.
Singh, 40, of Watling Street Road, Fulwood, Preston, pleaded guilty to firearms offences and conspiracy to supply cannabis and was jailed for six years and four months.
Riddick, 27, of Longway, Barrow-in-Furness, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and was jailed for three years and nine months.
