Gang member jailed after £500,000 worth of drugs found in Coventry 'safe house'
Saif Iqbal, 29, was sentenced to 10 years in jail after officers raided a house in Coventry.
Last updated 17th Jan 2023
A drugs gang member has been jailed for 10 years after officers discovered cocaine and heroin with a street value of more than £500,000 inside a ‘safe house.’
They raided a terraced house in Butlin Road, Holbrook, Coventry, on 8 December last year.
Inside was a woman and 29-year-old Iqbal, from Ransom Road, Foleshill.
Inside, they found an open safe in the bathroom that contained heroin and digital scales that had been used for weighing drugs.
They found more drugs in other parts of the house, including 5kg of cocaine with a purity of 78% and an estimated individual street value of £500,000.
Iqbal's conviction sends out a "clear warning".
Chief Inspector Leanne Lowe, Senior Investigation Manager at the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), said: “We’re focused on those thought to be involved in the highest levels of organised crime across our region.
“Iqbal’s conviction and sentence sends out a clear warning to others intent on supplying Class A drugs – we simply won’t tolerate it.”
The safe, scales, packaging, and cash all seized from the address were all indicators of organised, wholesale drug supply.
The property in Butlin Road was being used for the storage and distribution of class A drugs and would be considered as a ‘safe house’ or ‘trap house’ which is a location linked to the storage, preparation and distribution of controlled drugs.
Iqbal was arrested and taken into custody. He was on licence at the time after being handed a six year eight month jail term for conspiracy to supply class A drugs cocaine and MDA as well as cannabis.
Iqbal pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs when he appeared at Warwick Crown Court on 5 January and was jailed for 10 years.