Drug dealers convicted after using AI chatbot for cannabis cultivation advice
Two Birmingham drug dealers were convicted after police found evidence they had asked an AI chatbot for advice on cultivating stronger cannabis. The pair were arrested in January 2026 following a vehicle search and later pleaded guilty to multiple drug-dealing offences at Birmingham Crown Court.
What happened
Alexander Harrison, 36, and Aadil Jabbar, 31, from Birmingham, were stopped by West Midlands Police in January 2026 after their car was detected to have a strong smell of cannabis. A search of their car found cannabis, over £1,000 in cash, and approximately 160 wraps of cocaine and heroin.
Analysis of their seized phones revealed chat logs with an AI chatbot in which the pair asked how to grow a stronger strain of cannabis. Police did not specify which AI chatbot was used or what response was provided.
Reported impact
Detective Inspector Tom Lyons stated that drug crime brings harm to communities, though no specific impact from this pair's activities was detailed in the reports.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.