This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-29556126
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Heroin worth £37m revealed in imported car X-ray | Heroin worth £37m revealed in imported car X-ray |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A car's hidden stash of heroin - worth £37m - was revealed when the vehicle was X-rayed, a court has heard. | A car's hidden stash of heroin - worth £37m - was revealed when the vehicle was X-rayed, a court has heard. |
The drugs were hidden all over the X-type Jaguar which was imported into Felixstowe in December 2013, Luton Crown Court was told. | The drugs were hidden all over the X-type Jaguar which was imported into Felixstowe in December 2013, Luton Crown Court was told. |
Noman Qureshi, 32, and Israr Khan, 35, were found guilty of trying to supply Class A drugs. A third man, Mohammed Safder, was acquitted. | Noman Qureshi, 32, and Israr Khan, 35, were found guilty of trying to supply Class A drugs. A third man, Mohammed Safder, was acquitted. |
Qureshi was jailed for 21 years and Khan for 18 years. | Qureshi was jailed for 21 years and Khan for 18 years. |
During the trial, the jury heard documents had been prepared by a man in Karachi to get the car passed through customs, saying the vehicle was due for repairs. | During the trial, the jury heard documents had been prepared by a man in Karachi to get the car passed through customs, saying the vehicle was due for repairs. |
Prosecutor Gordon Aspden said the vehicle, which was imported on a container ship from Pakistan, had no ignition, no electrics and could not be driven, but was "rammed" with 316 packets of heroin. | Prosecutor Gordon Aspden said the vehicle, which was imported on a container ship from Pakistan, had no ignition, no electrics and could not be driven, but was "rammed" with 316 packets of heroin. |
Qureshi, of St Ethelbert Avenue, Luton, and Khan of Bracken Hill Mews, Bradford, were arrested when they went to pick up the Jaguar in east London. | Qureshi, of St Ethelbert Avenue, Luton, and Khan of Bracken Hill Mews, Bradford, were arrested when they went to pick up the Jaguar in east London. |
Police took the car to Harwich, where it was scanned with X-ray equipment and examined, the jury was told. | Police took the car to Harwich, where it was scanned with X-ray equipment and examined, the jury was told. |
The 316 packets of drugs were found, weighing a total of 230kg (507lb). | The 316 packets of drugs were found, weighing a total of 230kg (507lb). |
Mr Aspden said the strength of the hidden heroin was "extraordinarily high at 79%". | Mr Aspden said the strength of the hidden heroin was "extraordinarily high at 79%". |
"The Jaguar was rammed with drugs - no doubt from the fields of Afghanistan. | "The Jaguar was rammed with drugs - no doubt from the fields of Afghanistan. |
"This was high-level crime. The drugs were packaged in different-coloured bags for different customers - yellow, orange, blue, red and green," he told the court. | "This was high-level crime. The drugs were packaged in different-coloured bags for different customers - yellow, orange, blue, red and green," he told the court. |
During sentencing, Judge Barbara Mensah told Qureshi: "Dealing in heroin is odious, pernicious and evil. | During sentencing, Judge Barbara Mensah told Qureshi: "Dealing in heroin is odious, pernicious and evil. |
"This was a very sophisticated operation and it's clear every cog in the wheel of that operation was important," she said. | "This was a very sophisticated operation and it's clear every cog in the wheel of that operation was important," she said. |
Previous version
1
Next version