Serving Magistrate Accused of Being Cocaine and Heroin Addict in Major Drugs Gang
A serving magistrate, who held the power to jail and fine criminals, was allegedly a cocaine and heroin addict operating within a major organised drugs network, Croydon Crown Court heard today. Purshotam Dhillon, 59, served as a Justice of the Peace on criminal cases while prosecutors claim he was an active participant in a sophisticated drug operation known as the Hadi line.
The Alleged Criminal Network and Key Figures
The prosecution outlined that the Hadi line network was originally masterminded by Harry Singh, who received a prison sentence for drugs offences in 2018. Upon his release from custody in 2024, Singh allegedly resumed his leadership role at the top of the criminal hierarchy, assisted by several associates. Prosecutors assert that Dhillon was among those who aided Singh, using his respected position as a magistrate to offer what they described as an 'air of respectability' and to avoid police suspicion.
Dhillon and his co-defendant Leandrea Lynch, who is Singh's former partner, each face two charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas to these allegations. Additionally, Dhillon denies one count of possessing criminal property after law enforcement officers discovered nearly £4,000 in cash during a search of his bedroom at his Hounslow residence in west London.
Prosecution's Opening Statement and Key Allegations
Opening the case for the prosecution, Martyn Bowyer told the court: 'This case, at its centre, involved the supply of Class A drugs in the form of cocaine and diamorphine, commonly known as heroin, by an organised criminal network. That such a network existed and that heroin and cocaine was supplied by it is not in issue. What is very much in issue is whether the two defendants you are trying, Leandrea Lynch and Purshotam Dhillon, were concerned in the supply of those two types of Class A drugs - put very simply, whether they played a role within that organised criminal network with knowledge that drugs were being supplied. The prosecution case is that they did.'
The court heard detailed allegations about Dhillon's involvement. Prosecutors claim he allowed Singh to park his van at his property in Hounslow, which the alleged drugs kingpin then used to supply customers while disguising himself as an Amazon delivery driver. Following Dhillon's arrest last summer, police reportedly discovered several mobile phones, a significant quantity of drugs, precision scales, and a so-called tick-list used to identify customers and their orders at his home address.
Dhillon's Defence and Contradictory Claims
Despite these findings, Dhillon has denied any participation in the criminal network. He admitted to being addicted to both heroin and cocaine but maintained this did not affect his judicial duties. Police also recovered a Government identity card confirming Dhillon's status as a magistrate during their search.
Mr Bowyer highlighted the significance of this discovery, stating: 'Why is that relevant? Perhaps one of the last people who police would go to search is somebody who is a serving magistrate. It seems Mr Dhillon was well alive to that - he was giving an air of respectability.'
The prosecution presented further evidence suggesting financial transactions between Dhillon and Singh. The court heard that Dhillon made several payments to Singh's new girlfriend while Singh was incarcerated, followed by a deposit of £1,350 directly into Singh's personal bank account shortly after his release. Dhillon later told police this payment was to settle a drugs debt.
Addressing the jury, Mr Bowyer posed a critical question: 'Setting aside the notion of a serving lay magistrate sending money to a convicted drug dealer whilst he was in custody, it begs the question of how, we suggest, he had run up a drugs debt to a man who was serving a prison sentence? That will be a matter for you obviously to consider.'
Defendant Explanations and Counter-Allegations
In his police interview, Dhillon acknowledged his drug addiction but claimed it did not impair his role as a magistrate, though he conceded he 'could see now how his relationship and drug use affected him personally.' Regarding the substantial cash found in his bedroom, Dhillon denied any connection to drug dealing, asserting that family members had reimbursed him for purchasing flights to India. He attributed the drug paraphernalia discovered at his home solely to his personal consumption.
Meanwhile, co-defendant Leandrea Lynch, 48, of Hillingdon in west London, is alleged to have been 'at least a runner' within the operation. Lynch told authorities she was not involved in drug supply and that the small quantity of drugs found at her residence was for her own use only.
Mr Bowyer summarised the prosecution's stance: 'The prosecution case is that both defendants were in fact part of (Singh's) drugs operation' and were more than merely customers. The trial, presided over by High Court judge the Hon Mr Justice John Cavanagh, is scheduled to continue for up to four weeks as the evidence unfolds.
