9:10pm Monday 29th November 2010

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8709281.Bradford_Moor_family_drug_gang_face_jail_sentences/

A father and his two sons have been warned by a judge they face significant jail sentences after admitting drug trafficking and money laundering.

Abdul Khaliq, 51, and his sons Imran, 31, and Rizwan, 29, had been due to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court today after previously pleading not guilty to six charges of conspiracy to launder money, two of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, and two of possessing criminal property.

But the trial did not go ahead after the three entered guilty pleas to some of the charges.

Abdul Khaliq pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to launder money, involving more than £140,000.

Imran Khaliq admitted one charge of possessing criminal property, involving £43,134 in cash.

Rizwan Khaliq pleaded guilty to possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and one charge of conspiracy to launder money, totalling £9,380.

Prosecutor John Topham said the pleas were acceptable. He said: “This house was the scene of drug trafficking over a period of years. That money, obtained from drug trafficking, has gone into four bank accounts.

“All three are involved to a greater, or lesser, extent.”

The court heard that Abdul Khaliq was of previously good character but Imran Khaliq had a previous drug trafficking conviction and Rizwan Khaliq had convictions for kidnap, robbery and drugs possession.

Judge John Potter adjourned sentencing for probation reports, which he said would address the defendants’ rehabilitation into the community at the end of significant custodial sentences.

He told the two sons – both fathers-of-two and living at Silverhill Drive, Bradford Moor, Bradford – that they had pleaded guilty to serious matters and custody would almost inevitably follow. He remanded them in custody until sentencing on January 21.

Abdul Khaliq’s barrister, Timothy Stead, said his client lived with and cared for his elderly father, who suffered from diabetes and circulation problems, in Sandford Road, Bradford Moor. He was granted bail with conditions of residence, curfew and reporting to the police. But Judge Potter told him that custody was almost inevitable.