Ex-shopkeeper's double life as crime kingpin uncovered after M6 stop

A shopkeeper turned property magnate's double life as a drugs kingpin has been exposed after he was stopped by police on the M6.

Islaam Bashir, 32, was carrying 25kg of cannabis, worth at least £250,000 when he was pulled over by cops. Bashir known as Izzy was heading north with the stash, which he hoped to supply to clients in the west of Scotland, the Daily Record reports.

The crook was stopped in an Audi A4 near junction 37 of the M6 in Cumbria on July 4. He was accompanied by his friend and accomplice Andrew McQuade, 32. Both men have admitted their parts in the crime and will be sentenced next month.

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They were both remanded in custody pending sentence. During an initial hearing in front of a district judge sitting in Barrow, Cumbria, court papers alleged that Bashir and McQuade were in possession of 25kg of cannabis with intent to supply the class B controlled drug to others.

A second charge alleged that Bashir alone had custody or control of a quantity of £20 notes bearing the same serial number which he "knew or believed to be a counterfeit". No pleas were entered by either man at that magistrates' court hearing. When brought before Carlisle Crown Court on August 5, Bashir and McQuade both admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply. Bashir pleaded not guilty to the charge alleging the possession of counterfeit currency.

In light of his guilty plea to the cannabis supply charge, the prosecution offered no evidence on the counterfeit currency allegation. Bashir and McQuade, both of Kilmarnock, had their case adjourned. They are due to return to Carlisle Crown Court to receive their respective punishments on October 16. In the meantime, both men were remanded in custody.

The Daily Record revealed Bashir has been linked with companies involved in a series of property deals in the past two years, snapping up six units for more than £1million.

A source told the Record: "He ran a convenience store in Kilmarnock with his brother and they sold it on last year. He has been involved in businesses that have been buying shops, pubs and public buildings, including units that were left empty after previous tenants' businesses were sunk by lockdown. He was looking to get the properties for a song, with a view to developing small businesses on them or selling them on."

The source added: "Bashir's conviction is likely to bring scrutiny on how exactly he has been making and spending his cash."