Mohammed Wahab sentenced to 11 years’ prison for storing heroin and MDMA to settle debt

A man who stockpiled heroin and MDMA to settle a drug debt with his dealer has been locked away for more than a decade.

A man who stockpiled heroin and MDMA to settle a drug debt with his dealer has been locked away for more than a decade.

The County Court heard Mohammed Wahab, 29, had his whole life ahead of him before he fell into using drugs in his early 20s following the breakdown of a relationship.

Aust navy busts Middle East drug haul

Barwon Prison visitor ordered to complete community corrections order after being found with drugs in undies

Police disappointed after arrests for drug trafficking and possession at Rainbow Serpent Festival

The former Camberwell automotive apprentice built a successful business by the age of 22 where he employed a mechanic and an apprentice before he and his high school sweetheart split up, sending him off the rails, the court heard.

Very quickly his new habits took a toll on his home and work life, with his family noticing his uncharacteristically erratic behaviour and his business started to lose staff and customers.

When Wahab’s ice addiction and debts spiralled out of control, he was forced to store drugs for his dealer, but the charade didn’t last long, with police swooping in and arresting Wahab after just eight days of him taking possession of them.

Judge Wendy Wilmoth said 20.3kg of heroin and MDMA were found at his home and business address when police raided the properties in December 2014.

Despite Wahab’s lack of prior convictions and good prospects for rehabilitation, she said the amount of drugs found meant it was necessary for her to impose a lengthy prison sentence.

“It is tragic that a young man with excellent prospects and early indications of success now faces a continuing long prison term because of … a grave mistake,” she said.

“That quantity (of drugs) had the potential to cause great harm and considerable cost in the community.”

Wahab was convicted late last year and was sentenced to 11 years in prison with a six year non-parole period.

Judge Wilmoth noted that had it not been for Wahab’s early guilty plea she would have sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment.

At the time of his sentence, Wahab had already spent almost four years in custody and 1429 days of pre-sentence detention was noted as time served.

MORE NEWS:

REVIEW: Ben is Back is a powerhouse drugs drama all families can relate to and not recoil from

Grim Reaper HIV TV ad creator calls for similar campaign to shock young music festival drug users