Cocaine dealer hid drugs and £31k in hotel ceiling

A cocaine dealer who hid drugs and almost £31,000 in cash in a hotel ceiling has been jailed.

After raiding Muhon Miah's room at the Grand Hotel in Seaburn, Sunderland, police also found about £168,000 in cash in suitcases behind newly plastered panels in the loft of his South Shields home, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Miah, 25, had been staying at the hotel for almost a year and a half, the last five months under a fake name, the court heard.

He was jailed for eight years and seven months after admitting four offences including concealing criminal property and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

Officers went to the seafront hotel at about 09:30 BST on 16 April last year and showed receptionists a photograph of Miah asking if he was a guest, prosecutor Robin Turton said.

Staff said his name was Peter Wilkinson and he was staying in room 351, although he had changed room multiple times during his 17-month long stay, the court heard.

Miah answered the door to detectives and was arrested with a bag of cannabis, Mr Turton said.

Police noticed a ceiling panel was ajar and found bags of cocaine totalling 296g and £30,825 in cash behind it, the court heard.

Officers then searched his home and found the further hidden cash, the court heard.

Miah first checked in to the hotel in November 2022 and stayed there for a year under his own name before rebooking with the fake identity which was still being used up until his arrest, the court heard.

In mitigation, the court heard he was sorry and hoped to find lawful employment upon his eventual release from prison.

Judge Penelope Moreland said Miah's offending was over a sustained period of time and he had gained "substantial financial advantage".

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