Teenager caught with cannabis stuffed in his boxer shorts in Piccadilly Gardens 'exploited' by sophisticated criminals

A teenager was 'exploited' into dealing cannabis in Piccadilly Gardens by sophisticated criminals, a judge was told.

Ahmed Rafique, 19, was selling the class B drug by CCTV operators, on a Sunday night in the busy city centre hub.

When police went to arrest him, they found he had two snap bags of cannabis stashed in his boxer shorts.

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"There is cogent evidence of Mr Rafique being exploited by others more criminally sophisticated than him," Rafique's barrister Brendan O'Leary told Manchester Crown Court.

"He says he has been threatened while in custody."

He said that Rafique's mental health issues and drug problem made him 'prone to be exploited', and left him committing crime to try and pay off debts.

Rafique, from Salford, was stopped by police at about 7pm on August 15 last year, after being observed on CCTV.

About two months later, he was at Cornbrook Metrolink station when officers were checking tickets.

Rafique's eyes were 'glazed' and he smelt of cannabis. Officers discovered he had seven snap bags of cannabis and £76.

Prosecuting, Roger Brown said Rafique has several previous convictions, including being fined for possessing cannabis.

Mr O'Leary said that Rafique had been 'working well' in the community with support agencies before he was remanded in custody about three months ago.

He appealed for Rafique to be released from prison so he could undergo rehabilitation work.

"This is serious, you have reached the end of the line," the judge, Recorder Graham Wells told him.

"Next time, you will be inside for much longer. I have given you a chance, Mr Rafique, a last chance. Please make sure there isn't a