Three men were sentenced for their roles in a cannabis supply operation in Accrington, and a fourth man received a community order.[1][2] They appeared at Burnley Crown Court on Friday 23 October 2026 for sentencing.[1][2] Ihsan Tahir, 26, of Steiner Street, Accrington, was sentenced to 34 months in prison, suspended for 21 months.[1][2] Haroon Azad, 32, of Russia Street, Accrington, received 32 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.[1][2] Adil Hussain, 32, of Empress Street, Accrington, was given 32 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.[1][2] David Steele, 31, of Barden Lane, Burnley, had pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was given a 12-month community order.[1][2] Lancashire Police said Steele had pleaded guilty at an earlier court appearance.[3][2]
The investigation began in April 2024 when police stopped a vehicle driven by Haroon Azad on Lonsdale Street after noticing suspicious behaviour from one of the occupants.[1][2] A search of the car uncovered 80 snap bags of cannabis with a street value of £800.[1][2] Azad was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis with intent to supply.[1][2] Forensic enquiries linked Azad to Ihsan Tahir, Adil Hussain and David Steele, all of whom were subsequently arrested.[1][2]
Four vehicles belonging to Tahir were seized, and three were found to contain large quantities of cannabis with a combined street value of more than £15,000.[1][2] A mobile phone recovered from Tahir contained messages consistent with drug supply.[1][2] All four men were charged with offences related to the supply of cannabis and pleaded guilty before trial.[1][2] Lancashire Police described the offences as the supply of Class B drugs.[3] PC Paul Wolstenholme of the Hyndburn Neighbourhood Task Force said the force remained committed to disrupting the drugs trade.[1][2]
