Luton drug dealer with £60,000 Rolex and no job jailed for 3 years
A drug dealer who owned a £60,000 Rolex watch despite never holding down a full-time job has been sentenced to three years behind bars
Sher Shah, from Erin Close, was described as a key player in a drug line supplying crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis.
Bedfordshire Police found wraps of heroin, cash, designer goods and £4,600 in counterfeit notes when they raided a house in Luton in September 2023.
The 33-year-old was arrested, with police uncovering further evidence linking him to drug dealing.
Analysis of mobile phones seized during the investigation showed Shah had accessed another handset and changed his phone number in an attempt to avoid detection.
Investigators also found he had attempted to register a freight transport business, which was used to move substantial sums of money into his bank account.
A financial investigation found Shah had never been legitimately employed, received a salary through a payroll system or paid tax.
Shah had exchanged a £60,000 gold Rolex for a Land Rover Evoque before converting the vehicle back into cash. He then transferred £54,000 into a mortgage account belonging to a family member.
The court found this was evidence of the layering of criminal money.
Shah was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Friday, September 18, to three years and four months in prison.
He had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, including cocaine and heroin, Class B cannabis and possession of criminal property.
Investigating officer and drug expert witness Gary Hales said: “Shah played a significant role in the supply of highly harmful Class A drugs within our communities.
“This investigation not only exposed his involvement in criminal activity but also highlighted the financial gains he was making from it despite having no legitimate source of income.”
He said: “Shah will now be subject to further Proceeds of Crime court hearings to reclaim the ‘tainted gift’ and to seize all the cash and other assets that was seized under the 2002 Act.
“Drug dealing causes immense harm to individuals, families and communities, and we are committed to pursuing offenders through both criminal and financial investigations.”
He added: “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those involved in the supply of illegal drugs can expect to face justice and lose the profits they attempt to make from crime.
“We are continuing to target those involved in the supply of illegal drugs and the criminal networks that profit from them, using a combination of enforcement action, intelligence gathering and financial investigation to disrupt offending and protect communities.”
Anyone concerned about drug-related crime or drug exploitation can report it to Bedfordshire Police online or by calling 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.