![\"Farooq](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_JS368920334.jpg\")
Farooq Mazhar.(Image: Pressteam.)<\/p>\nFarooq Mazhar headed to Scotland from his home in Bolton before returning south.<\/p>\n
13:08, 14 May 2025Updated 13:12, 14 May 2025<\/p>\n
Farooq Mazhar.(Image: Pressteam.)<\/p>\n
A plumber who was caught moving \u00a350,000 of drug money<\/a> from Scotland to England has been jailed for 14 months. Farooq Mazhar, 41, of Bolton, travelled in his Audi Q7 to pick up cash in Glasgow before he was stopped heading south by police on the M74.<\/p>\n Intelligence had been received that Mazhar was transporting drugs after he had been watched meeting an associate in March last year. His car was searched and no drugs were found but officers<\/a> found two packages labelled ‘Jock \u00a325,000’ and he was arrested.<\/p>\n Mazhar appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court<\/a> and admitted possessing dirty cash with a total of \u00a350,150. Sheriff John Hamilton KC said there was no alternative to prison.<\/p>\n Self-employed plumber<\/a> and gas fitter Mazhar was not an ‘unwilling idiot’ and was ‘up to his neck’ in the scheme which saw him travel to Scotland to shift dirty money.<\/p>\n Depute fiscal Scott O’Connor<\/a> told the court: “Police were given intelligence that an Audi Q7 was driving southbound on the M74 and may be in possession of controlled drugs.<\/p>\n “The vehicle was stopped by police and on the basis of the intelligence, the accused was detained for a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act.” The car was stopped near Larkhall<\/a>, Lanarkshire.<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Mr O’Connor continued: “A search of the vehicle commenced and behind the rear seats police located<\/a> two brown-taped packages each with Jock \u00a325,000 and the date on them.”<\/p>\n Explaining how Mazhar was tracked, the prosecutor<\/a> added: “The accused had travelled from down south, met with someone in the Glasgow area for a five-minute meeting and thereafter had travelled southbound on the M74.<\/p>\n “The money<\/a> is deemed to be criminal property and the intelligence was that he was involved in a criminal enterprise and that the meeting was for the exchange of money. The inference was that this money was linked to drugs.”<\/p>\n Ian Scott, defending, said: “He did not ask any questions about what the scheme would involve and he dropped his guard. He is not someone who has come from a criminal background<\/a>.”<\/p>\n Sheriff Hamilton said: “It is clear that you were involved in serious crime and that this was definitely criminal property and linked to the drug trade. You drove from your home in Bolton<\/a> in your Audi Q7 to collect it.<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_JS323775515.jpg\")
An Audi Q7.(Image: AUDI AG.)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
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