Drug dealer told to expect lengthy jail sentence

A Lerwick drug dealer was warned to prepare himself for a lengthy jail term when he appeared at the town’s sheriff court today.

Ebrahim Hassan, 47, admitted supplying illegal drugs from his home in Gilbertson Road and a house in North Road between March and August last year to help finance his addiction to heroin.

Police officers uncovered enough of the Class B drug amphetamine to fetch over £7,650 at street level after receiving a tip-off. Hassan also plea­ded guilty to having smaller quan­tities of heroin and cannabis resin.

The court heard police officers executed a search warrant at the two addresses. At Gilbertson Road they found over 52 grammes of ampheta­mine, along with a “tick-list”, elec­tronic scales and a number of mobile phones.

Hassan, who was present during the search, admitted drugs would also be found at the North Road address. A subsequent search of that house revealed 712 grammes of ampheta­mine, along with cash and items associated with the illegal drugs trade.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mac­Kenzie said Hassan had been dependent on heroin and this had led him on a “downward spiral”.

Mr MacKenzie said: “He admit­ted he was dealing amphetamines and both houses searched were used by him in that enterprise.”
The court heard Hassan had sourced the drugs in Aberdeen from an unidentified man. He would retain £2,000 from the takings for himself, sending the balance to an Aberdeen address.

The total amount of money seized was £3,250, which has now been forfeited along with the drugs and associated equipment.
Defence agent Gregor Kelly said Hassan became addicted to heroin in March last year. Supplying the drugs, he said, was a way of finan­cing his problem.

However, he said Hassan had recently come off drugs for the sake of his marriage and children. He urged sheriff Napier to call for reports.

“He would wish the court to have full information regarding this situ­ation and the effect it has had on him,” Mr Kelly said. “This course of conduct was out of character for him.”

Sheriff Napier deferred sentence for background reports to be com­piled. However, he told Hassan the findings from the social work depart­ment would help him decide the appropriate length of sentence, rather than consider a community-based disposal.

“You have to expect that a significant custodial sentence will be imposed,” the sheriff said. “I’ll take a report from social work which will assess the appropriate length of sentence, rather than whether you will go to custody.”

Hassan was released on bail until sentencing on Thursday 10th February.