Bury woman and partner jailed for supplying Class A drugs

Szenm Asghar, of Brierly Street, appeared before Manchester Crown Court last Friday with her partner, Rashid Hussain, of Glen Morag Gardens in Rochdale last Friday.

The court heard that the couple lived a luxurious lifestyle spending tens of thousands of pounds on designer clothes, cars and pets including the purchase of two cats costing £3,000

Hussain, 35 was setnenced to seven years and six months in prison after being found guilty of one count of possessing criminal property and two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Asghar, 37, received three years and four months in prison after being found guilty of one count of possessing criminal property and two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

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Their lifestyle, however, was funded by flooding Rochdale with Class A drugs including heroin and crack cocaine.

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, officers from GMP Rochdale District raided Hussain's home and discovered various paraphernalia such as digital scales, packaging, drug debtor lists and numerous mobile phones.

When analysed these were found to contain 'marketing' text messages sent out in bulk to their vulnerable customers to advertise their stock as well as voice notes of Hussain bragging about his income.

More than £20,000 in cash was also found hidden underneath beds with some on display in the front room.

Hussain was arrested and remanded in custody following the raid and in the absence of her partner, Asghar, continued to run the drugs line, keeping her own lucrative revenue stream active after becoming used to her designer lifestyle.

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Following further investigation into the couple by GMPs Rochdale Challenger team, a second raid was executed at Asghar's home in March this year, where officers discovered more than £15,000 in cash, a total of 86g of heroin and crack cocaine, as well as 1kg of the painkiller 'Phenacetin', used to mix into drugs to increase volume.

10 mobile phones were also seized, several of which were used as a drug dealing hotline selling the drugs across Rochdale, using the tagline 'Sniper Line Active Best Gear in Town'.

Accounting notes found in the address showed that in a seven-day period, £12,705 cash was received with another £7,755 received the following week.

Another note stated 'Paid 14 thousand cash on 28th September 2021, remaining balance is £11,000 by the end of 31st October 2021 to be paid.'

Detective Sergeant Gabe Gibson, of Rochdale's Challenger Unit said: "Hussain and his partner Asghar used the handle "Sniper" to peddle their drugs across Rochdale.

"However, in this case, they shot themselves in the foot by leaving a wealth of evidence to be recovered from their home addresses.

"Asghar was seemingly immersed into Hussain's drug dealing world, but having enjoyed the proceeds of crime, wanted more.

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"Asghar clearly benefitted from this illicit enterprise, possessing large amounts of cash, designer goods, taking over the drugs business herself after Hussain was remanded in custody, enabling her lifestyle to be maintained.

"People like Hussain and Asghar are not wanted on the streets of Rochdale, nor are other familiar individuals, who will face a similar fate when caught.

"Our work in Rochdale continues, and rest assured we will deliver on our commitment to the community to relentlessly pursue those engaged in drugs trafficking".

Anyone with information about the supply of drugs in their area are encouraged to contact police on 101 or by using our Live Chat service at www.gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111