Drug dealer told police that his wad of cash was birthday gift

ASSETS OF £662 ARE CONFISCATED

- By MARTIN NAYLOR

AN "UNREPENTANT" drug dealer who tried to convince police officers that the large wad of cash he was carrying was a birthday gift, has had the money confiscated from him.

Nottingham Crown Court was told how the police initially wanted to pursue getting assets from Hussnain Iqbal, of Sherwood, through a Proceeds of Crime Act application (POCA).

But having analysed the 27-year-old’s finances while he has been in jail, that application was this week abandoned, and instead £662 in cash, which is already in the force's possession, was confiscated from him. The drugs, mobile phones and paraphernalia taken when he was arrested will be destroyed.

Lauren Fisher, prosecuting, said: “Previously, a POCA timetable was set in respect of this defendant but the prosecution now no longer intends to proceed against this defendant, so can I ask that application be withdrawn and two sums of cash instead be confiscated?”