25-Year-Old Drug Dealer Avoids Prison After Police Found More Than £62,000 Worth of Cannabis and a Knuckleduster, Then He Gave an Explanation Before the Judge Decided Not to Send Him to Prison

A 25-year-old drug dealer from Warwick has avoided being sent to prison after police found more than £62,000 worth of cannabis, as well as a knuckleduster.

Arjun Bilkhu appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Monday, August 10, where he was sentenced after admitting possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon.

The case began on June 8 when police officers spotted Bilkhu driving a BMW in the Coten End area of Warwick. Officers later stopped him on William Freeman Way because they suspected the vehicle could be connected to drug dealing.

When officers approached the BMW, they could smell cannabis. They also noticed that Bilkhu’s eyes appeared bloodshot. Bilkhu told police that the smell was there because some of his friends had smoked cannabis inside the car earlier.

He initially refused to take a drug wipe test, but he later agreed and tested positive for cannabis.

Police then searched his BMW and made a bigger discovery. Officers found more than £300 in cash and a carrier bag containing 24 separate bags of cannabis.

When questioned about the drugs, Bilkhu claimed they were for his own personal use because he was a “heavy smoker.” However, the investigation did not end with what police found inside his car.

Officers went on to search Bilkhu’s home in Warwick, where they discovered around seven kilograms of cannabis. The drugs had been divided into different bags and packages, including half-ounce amounts.

Cannabis was found in different parts of the property, and the total amount discovered was estimated to have a value of more than £62,000.

During the search of the house, police also found a knuckleduster inside a bedroom. Bilkhu later admitted possession of an offensive weapon and possession of drugs with intent to supply.

The court heard that Bilkhu had previously graduated from Birmingham City University. His barrister, Haroon Khattak, told the court that Bilkhu had been making progress with his life after suffering the loss of two family members.

However, towards the end of his university degree, he was said to have become involved with people who had a bad influence on him. The court was also told that Bilkhu had developed a dependency on cannabis and that this had played a part in his offending.

Before being sentenced, Bilkhu had already spent nine weeks on remand at HMP Hewell. He described his time behind bars as an “eye-opener” and said the experience had woken him up to the reality of where his actions could lead.

Judge Kevin John Hegarty warned Bilkhu about the damage cannabis can cause. He said that although the drug might give someone temporary pleasure, it could also cause serious harm.

The judge also told Bilkhu that by becoming involved in drug dealing, he had disappointed and let down his family.

Despite the large amount of cannabis found and the discovery of the knuckleduster, Bilkhu was not given an immediate prison sentence.

Instead, Bilkhu, from Heathcote in Warwick, was handed an 18-month community order. As part of his punishment, he must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation activity days.