Barnes Barrister in Coke and Guns Bust

Jail sentence after drugs factory found in flat

A barrister from Barnes has been jailed after an armed police raid on his flat uncovered a cocaine factory and a cache of arms.

Hassan Modjiri, aged 27, was working as a criminal barrister but was jailed for 7 years for possession of cocaine and 7 years for possession with intent to supply. He pleaded guilty to the charges with his defence team pleading in mitigation that he had worked hard to gain his legal qualifications but became depressed and disillusioned when he failed to find chambers.

The raid took place in September of this year at 54, Castlenau Gardens in Barnes when two men were arrested after they were found cutting up a large quantity of cocaine, believed to be worth nearly £150,000 on the streets. In total 1,855.5 grammes of cocaine was seized. The drugs were found on the work surface in the kitchen where they were in the process of being mixed with baulking agent.

According to the Land Registry the flat was purchased in March 2005 for £307,500. It is believed that Modjiri is the owner.

Also sentenced at the same time was the other man found in the flat during the raid, Paul Murdoch aged 36 an unemployed man of 107 Edith Grove, Hammersmith. He received 7 years for possession of cocaine and intent to supply. He also received 2.5 years for possession of firearms. The sentences for both men will run consecutively.

On the same day of the raid police searched Murdoch's motor car and found a significant amount of ammunition and magazines for a handgun in the boot.

Detective Superintendent Jim Dickie said, "As a result of these arrests the Central Task Force have succeeded in removing a large amount of drugs from the street and have successfully ensured that the dealers will no longer be able to operate. "It is particularly shocking that a man who has full knowledge of the law and its consequences would be involved in this sort of criminal activity. Regardless of anyone's position or occupation nobody is above the law and where we have evidence of cocaine we will pursue and robustly prosecute. This is a clear message that no-one is above the law."

He added that the sentence given by the judge reflected the threat Murdoch could have presented to London's communities.

November 24, 2006