Christopher Parker and Bilal Moghal were sentenced at Douglas Courthouse on 11 November 2022 for a cannabis trafficking operation.[1] Parker was jailed for five years.[1] Moghal, 64, was jailed for four years and eight months.[2] Parker, 43, had been seen transferring drugs from another man’s van at a petrol station in Onchan.[2] Moghal, of Jennison Close in Manchester, had travelled to the island the previous day.[2] Parker admitted two offences of possession of cannabis with intent to supply and one of possession of criminal property.[1] Moghal admitted producing cannabis to the Isle of Man and possessing the drug with intent to supply.[1]
Parker parked his black Volkswagen Transporter near Corkills Garage in Onchan at about 09:25 on 3 September before getting into Moghal’s rented white Vauxhall Crafter.[2] The two men then transferred several packages from the Vauxhall to the Volkswagen before both drove away.[2] Officers approached Parker as he arrived at his home on Fairfield Avenue.[2] Moghal was stopped by police on Douglas Promenade shortly after the handover.[1] In Parker’s van police found four bin bags of cannabis.[3] A later search of Parker’s home found more cannabis hidden in the kitchen and garden.[3] Police said the drugs from Parker’s vehicle and property had a combined weight of 14,447.50 grams.[3] Police put the estimated street value of that cannabis at £288,948.[3] Officers also recovered £33,165 in criminal cash concealed in Parker’s garden.[1]
Parker told police he had been offered £500 to pick up the drugs and look after them to cover a veterinary bill.[1] Moghal said he agreed to transport the drugs for £5,000 to pay off debts and contribute to his son’s wedding.[2] Deemster Graeme Cook said it was clear both men had become involved at the behest of someone else.[2] Moghal was also banned from returning to the island for five years.[2]