Menu
16/10/2008
'Boxer Shorts' Drug Smuggler Jailed
A 38-year-old painter and decorator from Sparkhill, Birmingham, has been jailed for six and a half years today for smuggling heroin (pictured) and for concealing cannabis and heroin in the boxer shorts he was wearing when he was stopped at Birmingham airport.
The heroin was hidden inside two DVD players he was carrying in his luggage when he returned from a trip to Pakistan in May this year.
The successful investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) followed the arrest of Zareb Hussain, by officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA), when he arrived at Birmingham International airport on a flight from Islamabad, Pakistan, on Wednesday, 21 May 2008.
Officers conducted a search of Hussain's luggage and found two DVD players in his suitcase.
The DVD players were X-rayed. Nestled in the wiring, four packages were identified in the first player and five packages in the second. The packages were tested along with a small set of electronic scales which were also found. Both gave a positive result as heroin.
A further three grams of heroin and a small quantity of cannabis were found concealed in the boxer shorts Hussain was wearing.
Hussain pleaded guilty today when officers provided forensic evidence proving his fingerprints were on the drugs packages. He was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for smuggling nearly 1.2 kilos of heroin and being in possession of a further quantity of heroin and cannabis, The drugs are valued at £50,000, although this would have doubled or even trebled once 'cut' by drug dealers as it hit the UK streets.
This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office, an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases.
(JM)
The heroin was hidden inside two DVD players he was carrying in his luggage when he returned from a trip to Pakistan in May this year.
The successful investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) followed the arrest of Zareb Hussain, by officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA), when he arrived at Birmingham International airport on a flight from Islamabad, Pakistan, on Wednesday, 21 May 2008.
Officers conducted a search of Hussain's luggage and found two DVD players in his suitcase.
The DVD players were X-rayed. Nestled in the wiring, four packages were identified in the first player and five packages in the second. The packages were tested along with a small set of electronic scales which were also found. Both gave a positive result as heroin.
A further three grams of heroin and a small quantity of cannabis were found concealed in the boxer shorts Hussain was wearing.
Hussain pleaded guilty today when officers provided forensic evidence proving his fingerprints were on the drugs packages. He was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for smuggling nearly 1.2 kilos of heroin and being in possession of a further quantity of heroin and cannabis, The drugs are valued at £50,000, although this would have doubled or even trebled once 'cut' by drug dealers as it hit the UK streets.
This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office, an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases.
(JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 May 2003
Blunket sets out plans to treat addicts
Guidance to advise specialist doctors when and how to prescribe heroin to the most entrenched drug users, will be published shortly, Home Secretary David Blunkett said today.
Blunket sets out plans to treat addicts
Guidance to advise specialist doctors when and how to prescribe heroin to the most entrenched drug users, will be published shortly, Home Secretary David Blunkett said today.
25 August 2006
Man remanded over 'bomb plot'
A man has appeared in court on Friday charged in connection with an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights. Umair Hussain, 24, from east London, has been charged with failing to disclose information. He was remanded in custody at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court until September 1.
Man remanded over 'bomb plot'
A man has appeared in court on Friday charged in connection with an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic flights. Umair Hussain, 24, from east London, has been charged with failing to disclose information. He was remanded in custody at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court until September 1.
02 October 2008
Seventy Years Imprisonment For Heroin Smugglers
Three members of a drug smuggling network have been sentenced for a total of 70 years in prison for their part in distributing huge quantities of heroin throughout the Midlands. Ronald van Overveld drove the drugs across from the Netherlands on at least two occasions. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Seventy Years Imprisonment For Heroin Smugglers
Three members of a drug smuggling network have been sentenced for a total of 70 years in prison for their part in distributing huge quantities of heroin throughout the Midlands. Ronald van Overveld drove the drugs across from the Netherlands on at least two occasions. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
09 June 2003
Man in court over heroin smuggling charges
A 56-year-old man is expected in court today charged with attempting to smuggle heroin through Manchester Airport at the weekend. Portuguese national, Abdul Gafur, was arrested after Customs officers discovered around five kilos of the Class A drug concealed in luggage. The haul had an estimated street value of £350,000.
Man in court over heroin smuggling charges
A 56-year-old man is expected in court today charged with attempting to smuggle heroin through Manchester Airport at the weekend. Portuguese national, Abdul Gafur, was arrested after Customs officers discovered around five kilos of the Class A drug concealed in luggage. The haul had an estimated street value of £350,000.
17 April 2009
Gun Found During Leeds Drugs Swoop
Police in North East Leeds have seized a revolver and a large quantity of class A heroin following two raids on properties in the Chapeltown and Meanwood areas of the city. Officers working as part of Operation Quartz - tasked with targeting drug dealers across the city - raided a property off Potternewton Lane on Wednesday.
Gun Found During Leeds Drugs Swoop
Police in North East Leeds have seized a revolver and a large quantity of class A heroin following two raids on properties in the Chapeltown and Meanwood areas of the city. Officers working as part of Operation Quartz - tasked with targeting drug dealers across the city - raided a property off Potternewton Lane on Wednesday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
