A Brentford man who helped disguise the proceeds of a multi-million-pound drug-dealing gang has lost his appeal to get his jail term shortened.
Mohammad Quereshi was locked up for three years in January, after being found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of conspiracy to money launder.
The 35-year-old, of Ferry Lane, Brentford, challenged his sentence at London's Criminal Appeal Court, with his lawyers arguing it was "too long" for his limited role in the plot.
But his appeal was rejected on Friday August 19 by three of the country's most senior judges, who said he was a "trusted courier" and a stern jail term was justified.
The court heard Quereshi was seen by undercover police in the Tinsley area of Sheffield, meeting with a man called Haroon Rashid in Maplebeck Drive, in October 2013.
Officers, carrying out observations as part of an investigation into a major drug-dealing operation in South Yorkshire, saw each of them hand something to the other.
Jail term 'firm but fair'
Rashid, 37, then went back to his home in Ferrars Road and was later arrested after being caught with a bag containing about £100,000.
He was found guilty of conspiracy to launder money and to pervert the course of justice and jailed for six years.
Quereshi was followed back to London and officers found £52,000 in his car after stopping him as he was returning north.
His lawyers argued his involvement in the plot was limited to that one day, when he received instructions and agreed to act as a courier.
They said that limited role did not warrant such a long sentence.
But, dismissing his appeal, Mr Justice King said the three-year jail term was "firm but fair".
Sitting with Lord Justice Gross and Mr Justice Sweeney, he added: "The proposition that he was not playing a significant role does not begin to be arguable.
"He was entrusted to take nearly £100,000 to his accomplice and had more than £50,000 in his possession when he was stopped by police.
"This was a severe sentence, but the appellant was involved with serious professional crime."
