Churchfield Road Off Licence Owner Jailed

Police found a gun and drugs at Grapevines

The owner of an off-licence on Churchfield Road who stored a firearm and drugs on the premises has been jailed for seven and a half years.

Mohammud Chowdari, 30, of Forty Lane, Wembley, who ran Grapevines in W3, pleaded guilty to numerous offences at a previous hearing in early January.

Officers raided the premises on 27 November 2015. They found large quantities of cannabis and cocaine, worth an estimated street value of £150,000, as well as £180,000 in cash. Officers also discovered a shotgun, ammunition and canisters of CS gas.

Chowdari, was immediately arrested and taken into custody.

While he was interviewed, work began to close down the venue which was blatantly being used for criminality.

Within 48 hours, officers had successfully sought a suspension of the licence for the premises at licensing sub-committee meeting - a decision which was subsequently upheld meaning the premises' licence was revoked.

Inspector Gareth Winnard, from Ealing Borough, said, "Due to the weight of evidence gathered by Ealing officers during this meticulous investigation, Chowdari was left with no choice but the plead guilty to these offences.

"Those who choose to involve themselves in criminal activity have no place on our Borough and I want to reassure the resident of Ealing that we are committed to arresting such people and putting them before the courts.

"This conviction began with intelligence received from the local community about drug dealing and associated criminality that was having an adverse affect on their lives. I hope Chowdari's conviction shows that we will act upon intelligence provided and are committed to working with the local community to make Ealing a better place for its residents."

Chowdari had pleaded guilty to the following offences and was sentenced accordingly:

- Possession of a handgun/prohibited weapon contrary to Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 - sentenced to five years' imprisonment; victim surcharge £120.00; forfeiture and destruction of the firearm.

- Possessing a prohibited weapon (weapon for discharge of noxious liquid, gas, etc) contrary to Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 - sentenced to two years' imprisonment; forfeiture and destruction of the weapon - sentence to run concurrently.

- Possession of ammunition without certificate contrary to Section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 - sentenced to three years' imprisonment; forfeiture and destruction of ammunition - sentence to run concurrently.

- Possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drug (cocaine) contrary to Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment; forfeiture and destruction of drugs - sentence to run consecutively.

- Possession with intent to supply a controlled class B drug (cannabis) contrary to Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - sentenced to two years' imprisonment; forfeiture and destruction of drugs - sentence to run concurrently.

- Possession with intent to supply a controlled class B drug (cannabis resin) contrary to Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - sentenced to two years' imprisonment; forfeiture and destruction of drugs - sentence to run concurrently.

- Facilitate the acquisition/acquire/possess criminal property, contrary to Sections 329 and 334 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 - sentenced to one year imprisonment, to run concurrently.

23rd June 2016