Dealer who used cars to deliver drugs tries and fails to become a car salesman

A convicted drug dealer who hasa history with gangs has lost his application to become a licensed car salesman in B.C. largely because it was cars he used to shuffle drugs around.

Asif Aslamwas busted for trying to send 1.7 kilograms of cocaine to Yukon in 2013. Before that, court documents show, heled a gang involved in the drug trade in Surrey, B.C.

Court heard he had used to buildsecret compartments inside cars to hide his product.

Aslamspent just under three years in federal prison after the 2013 arrest. Now out on parole, he applied for his salesperson licence in B.C. earlier this year.

He was denied, mainly because he used cars to commit his crimes and, as described by a parole officer, can be "economical with the truth."

Another 'dealer' turns him in

Aslam was 39 when he was busted as part of"Operation Monolith" one of the most significant organized crime investigations in Yukon's history.

Aslam and Matthew Truesdale, both of Surrey B.C., had arranged to send the cocaine north through a longtime Whitehorse dealer.

They didn't realize theirdealer had recently become a police agent. That agent immediately turned the drugs over to the RCMP, who arrestedAslam and Truesdale.

Aslampleaded guilty, served his time,returned to Surrey and applied to become a car salesman in May.

Truesdalealso spent two years and 10 months behind bars.

'Economical with the truth'

As part of his application, Aslam had to go through hearings with the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of B.C. (VSA). The authority's registrar woulddecide whether he would make a suitable salesman.

An RCMP officer and Aslam'sparole officer spoke at the hearings. The latter said Aslam had already been buying rundown cars for a few hundred dollars and flipping them for up to $7,000 each income he initially failed to report, which he is supposed to do under his parole conditions.

The parole officer who described Aslam as being "economical with the truth" also said Aslammight still be a target for gang violence.

In explaining why he denied Aslam's application, registrar Ian Christmanlisted a number of reasons for the rejection.

He said Aslam's past conviction namely hishistory of building hidden compartments in cars for drugs meant he couldn't be trusted as a salesman.Christman'sruling also noted how public car dealerships are, and how it would be unsafe to have someone who is the target of gang violence on the premises.

"If a person were the target of gang violence, anyone at a dealer's lot would be in danger," the decision read. "Protecting the safety of consumers and dealer staff is a concern for the registrar."

Christmanalso saidAslamdidn't seem remorseful for his crimes and there was no evidence he'll be rehabilitated.

Aslam won't be able to reapply for his licence unless he can prove he's remorseful, rehabilitated, trustworthy and no longer a threat to those around him.

He can try again in seven years.