Two men in Cardiff who used a ‘fake taxi’ to deliver drugs have been ordered to repay more than £5,000. Shahid Kahim, 26, and Parvez Uddin, 33, from Newport, drove around the city using the old taxi to transport hundreds of bags of Class A drugs. The vehicle, adorned with the logo of Premier Taxis, caught the attention of officers due to its expired number plates.
Following a police stop, a significant amount of drugs, valued at tens of thousands of pounds, was found in the taxi. Both men had prior convictions for possession of ketamine with intent to supply. They pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply. The delay in sentencing was attributed to an administrative error in the courts.
On the day of their arrest, police observed Kahim driving the taxi along Bedford Street in Cardiff. The expired number plates raised suspicions, as did Uddin sitting in the front passenger seat. A pedestrian briefly entered the vehicle before exiting. Upon searching the men and the taxi, police discovered a substantial quantity of drugs, along with incriminating evidence on their mobile phones.
Kahim was sentenced to 33 months in prison, while Uddin received a 32-month sentence. At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, it was revealed that Kahim had benefitted nearly £38,000 but had assets worth only £5,965. Uddin had a benefit of £32,520 with assets of just £110. Judge Eugene Egan ordered them to repay the available amounts.
The pair’s criminal activities, involving 144 bags of ketamine and 414 bags of cocaine, were estimated to have a street value of around £20,820. The defendants’ attempt to use the fake taxi as a cover for drug distribution has led to legal repercussions and a substantial financial penalty for their actions.