Three drug dealers who operated a drugs line using various different hire cars for around six weeks, selling heroin and cocaine to users in Blackburn have been jailed for a total of more than 15 years.
Brothers Atiq Ashraf, 33, and Tussif Ashraf, 36, and their cousin Asraar Ali, 32, were all working for the ‘Immy’ drugs line, ending 1181, from May to June last year, before being caught by police, Preston Crown Court heard.
The court was told Atiq Ashraf was the main person responsible for the ‘Immy’ line and would send out regular ‘batch texts’ to drug users, and take orders for different amounts of heroin and cocaine, before directing Tussif Ashraf and Ali to deliver and drop off the drugs at various locations in Blackburn.
Ali, who needed the use of a car for his personal life, was insured on various different hire cars, such as Volkswagen Golfs and Vauxhalls - which were taken out in Atiq Ashraf’s name - and became the sole driver, with Tussif Ashraf accompanying him on many of his deliveries.
Prosecuting, Cheryl Mottram told the court the defendants were seen by police on multiple occasions throughout May and June last year in Blackburn in the midst of drug deals.
On one occasion in May, after being seen in a vehicle close to Gainsborough Avenue, police discovered the insurance policy for the car, which was in Ali’s name, was cancelled on the same day, in an attempt by the defendants to distance themselves from the vehicle and therefore the witnessed drug transaction.
On other occasions their phones were seized but the defendants went out and purchased alternative devices meaning the ‘Immy’ line could stay active.
Police also found the ‘Immy’ line's phone credit was being topped up at garages in Blackburn and Accrington, before Atiq Ashraf would travel to various locations across the North West, including Liverpool and Widnes, with Ali and Tussif Ashraf remaining in Blackburn.
When Atiq Ashraf was finally arrested on July 6 at his girlfriend’s house, police found £2,760 in cash, while five mobile phones were seized from Tussif Ashraf.
Sentencing, Judge Philip Parry said: “The Immy line was held by Atiq and orders came in, then you directed Tussif and Asraar.
“Atiq you were responsible for leasing the cars which were used to deliver the drugs with Asraar driving on each and every occasion.
“You did this over a period of six weeks.
“Atiq, it’s a mystery as to why you got yourself involved in class A drugs, but you came into it with your eyes open, and you knew the background of your brother, Tussif.
“Tussif, you have a terrible antecedent record, many breaches and drugs possession and you received seven years for drugs and were released in March 2022, so committed these offences just two months after being released and while you were under post sentence supervision.
“Asraar, you got involved through misguided loyalty as Tussif was best man at your wedding. You allowed yourself to do this so you had use of a number of cars.”
All three defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Atiq Ashraf, of Whitewell Place, Blackburn, has two convictions for five offences and was jailed for four years and eight months.
Tussif Ashraf, of Whitewell Place, Blackburn, has 12 convictions for 30 offences and was jailed for six years and eight months.
Asraar Ali, of Whitehead Street, Blackburn, has no previous convictions and was jailed for three years and 10 months, giving a combined total sentence for the trio of 15 years and two months.
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