Accrington dealer threw phone and tried to run from police

Faisal Shah was spotted by officers in the middle of a drugs transaction in Accrington in October 2022.

Prosecuting at Burnley Crown Court, Peter Barr said: “At around 2pm on October 20, police saw a group of four people huddled together and it seemed a drugs transaction was taking place.

“The defendant was asked to stop but he ran away and threw his mobile phone.

“However, he was detained a few minutes later and had in his fist, a blue tin which contained two wraps of cocaine, as well as some wraps of brown powder. He also had £44 in cash.

Faisal Shah (Image: Lancs Police)

“There was a later search of his home where heroin and crack were found and £475 in cash.

“The total amount of cash seized was £519 and the drugs seized were worth £590.

“Mobile phones, scales and snap bags were also found in his home.”

Mr Barr said Shah accepted he had sold two wraps to a man and a further wrap to another customer and made full admissions in his police interview.

Shah, 34 of Charter Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin, and supply of cocaine.

Shah had been a cocaine user and while in employment could fund his own habit, but he lost his job, got into debt, and agreed to buy an ounce of cocaine and an ounce of heroin from dealers to sell on for a profit and pay back his debt.

He said he had only been dealing for around four or five days.

Mitigating, Mark Stuart said his client had no previous convictions and had since gained full time employment and had rid himself of his cocaine habit.

Recorder Michael Blakey said: “You spiralled into debt and found yourself in difficulties and put your family in difficulty.

"It’s very sad to see someone like you before these courts facing these charges.”

Shah was jailed for two years.