Man sentenced for Class A drug offences and driving whilst disqualified

A man has been sentenced following class A drug offences and driving whilst disqualified in Reading.

Neal Akhtar, aged 40, of Church Grove, Fleet, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drugs, namely heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine and driving whilst disqualified, in a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Friday (14 November).

Akhtar was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at the same hearing.

At around 11.30am on June 11, Akhtar was driving in a red convertible BMW on Kingsley Close in Whitley, Reading, when officers detained him for a drug search.

Officers found Akhtar to be in possession of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of £1,250.

Akhtar was also observed to be smoking a cannabis joint at the time of the search, subsequently leading to officers searching his home.

Following the search, additional quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin with an estimated value of £4,600 were found, alongside packaging and distribution for the controlled substances.

Further checks identified Akhtar was disqualified from driving at the time of the incident.

Akhtar was arrested and charged the following day (12 June).

Investigating officer PC James Dunwell said: “The production and supply of drugs causes harm within our communities and results in the exploitation of vulnerable people.

“The involvement of Akhtar in these offences showed no regard to the impact on the wider community.

“As a result of this investigation, we have taken thousands of pounds-worth of drugs off the street.

“We will continue to work proactively to disrupt drug supply networks, and information from the public plays a vital role in helping us do so.”