it was found that he had Diazepam tablets.
Iftiqar Ali, aged 52, of Halifax, West Yorkshire, was jailed for 21 months for dealing drugs from his taxi to increase his income.
Bradford Crown Court heard that Ali had been a licensed taxi driver since 2017.
He was caught with a stash of Class C sleeping pill-type drugs, worth around £10,500.
On February 28, 2020, he was stopped by police on Shay Lane, Halifax.
Imran Khan, prosecuting, said the taxi was pulled over by police at 7:45 pm because officers had received intelligence that Ali may be drug dealing.
Ali’s hand was prised open and it was found that he had Diazepam tablets. He also shouted to another taxi driver in another language.
Ali’s vehicle was searched and £530 in cash was found.
His home was searched and officers found a stash of Diazepam, Etizolam and Temazepam.
Ali pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply.
Shufqat Khan, defending, said his client was deeply ashamed and regretful about what he had done.
Ali had been a drug user in the past but had rid himself of the addiction in 2007 with the help of his family.
However, he was left with anxiety and panic attacks. He then turned to prescribed sleeping pills.
Mr Khan explained from 2010, Ali could no longer get them from his doctor so he sourced them himself. That meant he knew how to obtain them to supply to others.
Since 2017, Ali has been a taxi driver but due to the drug offences, that was no longer the case. He was a hardworking man and got a job packing at a factory.
Mr Khan added that Ali’s actions had caused his family great distress and had left home as a consequence.
Ali had 14 previous convictions for 33 offences. The court heard they were driving offences and matters of dishonesty, which happened many years ago.
Recorder Taryn Turner told Ali of the serious nature of his crimes.
It was revealed he turned to drug dealing because he was not making enough money as a taxi driver.
Recorder Turner said:
“Members of the public were exposed to the risk of you offering to supply them with drugs.”
Ali’s passengers would have included the elderly, vulnerable and children.
Recorder Turner added: “The court is disgusted and horrified.”
The Telegraph and Argus reported that Ali was jailed for 21 months on March 13, 2021.
She set a Proceeds of Crime Act timetable to decide how much Ali benefited from his drug dealing.
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