Six-hour taxi drug ride man: ‘I’ve been used’

AN OLDHAM man caught red-handed by police in a taxi, with a bag containing half a million pounds worth of heroin between his legs, told a court he had been used.

Michael West (21), and his driver, had been shadowed by undercover police as they made a six-hour return trip from Oldham town centre to Birmingham, where the three kilogram bag was handed over.

West, of Hollins Street, Greenacres, at first lied about ever having made the journey, until he realised he had been under observation.

He then told police that he had made the 120-mile round trip because he had been bored and had had nothing better to do at the time, but said he had known nothing about the drugs.

He claimed he had been trying to buy cannabis in the vicinity of Cranbrook Street, Oldham on the evening of August 3, 2009, when a man he knew to be a dealer, had asked him if he wanted to go for a ride. He was told to wait by Tesco Express, and minutes later he was picked up by an Oldham private hire driver.

West pleads not guilty to a charge of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug, as does Ali Shan (32), of Gainsborough Avenue, Oldham, Afraq Ahmed (31), of Grendon Avenue, Oldham, Mehreen Khalid (21) of Bredbury, and Yasir Mahmood (25), of Brompton Street, Oldham.

Habib Rehman (36), of Slough, pleads not guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Fazal (43), and Faisal Hussain (20), have already admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine, as have two other men.

West told Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court he had no idea where they were even going until the driver got on his radio to confirm he was en route towards Birmingham and the fare was £200.

He told a trial jury: “I was shocked. I told him I had no money, and I was panicking, but he said it was alright.”

West said the driver both received and made numerous calls on his mobile during the trip, but as he spoke in Urdu, he could not understand what was being said.

He claimed when they reached their destination they moved location several times until they finally parked up, and a man came across to the silver Honda Accord car with a bag. He opened the passenger door and placed it in the footwell.

Asked in court whether he had been suspicious about what was going on, he said: “Not at the time, no.” He said the driver had asked him if the bag was heavy and he picked it up to see, then put it between his legs. He said he had asked the driver if he knew what was inside it, but he said he didn’t know.”

The court heard that the private hire car was stopped by police in Hollins Road, Oldham shortly after 10.30pm. When the carrier bag was opened, it was found to contain a number of vacuum packed plastic packages containing heroin.

The prosecution allege that West and his driver were one of a number of courier teams involved in a huge drug supply business masterminded by father and son Fazal and Faisal Hussain, both of whom live in Cranbrook Street, Oldham.

David Pickup prosecuting, challenged West: “Your story is just not sensible, is it? You knew this was a dodgy drugs transaction, and you were riding shotgun.”

West said: “Obviously now I know I’ve been used, but I didn’t at the time.”

(Proceeding)