Four men jailed for total of 37 years for their roles in sophisticated drugs plots

Bradford man Arshad Zaman Khan played a central role in two sophisticated plots, one of them to bring high-purity heroin into the city, Bradford Crown Court heard.

He and three other men have now been jailed for a total of 37 years.

Detectives believe the "import-grade" heroin had recently been imported from Pakistan in the lids of marker pens, a technique which hadn't been seen before in Britain.

The heroin, which was 60-70 per cent pure, weighed almost 1kg and had an estimated street value of just over £105,000.

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It was still hidden within some lids of around 500 marker pens when it was intercepted by police on December 10, 2014 en route from Rotherham to Bradford.

Khan, a 43-year-old father-of-six, was jailed for 12-and-a-half years after admitting two conspiracy to supply drugs charges relating to a four-week period in November-December 2014.

As well as the Rotherham plot, Khan was also involved in a second conspiracy involving drugs from Liverpool.

He was described by Recorder of Bradford Judge Roger Thomas QC as the "lead player" who had organised the "reception" of the drugs into Bradford.

The judge told him: "You were the person who organised the reception of that Class A drug into Bradford to wreak yet more misery on the hapless people who I see in these courts whose lives are ruined in every sense by the use of Class A drugs."

Khan, of Salt Street, Manningham, was described by his barrister as a "hard working businessman" who was a partner in a clothing company based on White Abbey Road, Bradford.

Yunus Valli, mitigating, said Khan had a "good character" and regretted what he had done.

Mr Valli said Khan was heavily in debt due to a civil dispute involving a shop tenant.

"It has drained his resources massively. He owes Customs and Revenue substantial money and owes rates to the local council."

He said Khan had no previous convictions relevant to the case.

The court heard that Khan had conspired with four other men to bring drugs into Bradford.

Usman Khan, 27, of Ramsden Road, Rotherham, who was jailed for nine-and-a-half years after admitting conspiring to supply drugs, was described by his barrister as a cocaine addict with debts of £5,000 who had been "naive" in his involvement.

Asim Jhangir, 29, of Sandford Road, Bradford Moor, Bradford, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after admitting a drugs conspiracy charge.

He had travelled from Bradford to Rotherham to collect drugs and was arrested on his return to his home city.

His barrister, Graham Arnold, says his client hadn't known he was carrying a kilo of drugs and was perhaps someone who was "away with the fairies" due to his own drug use.

Anthony Harris, 35, of Ireland Road, Liverpool, was also jailed for seven-and-a-half years after he admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Harris was stopped by police on November 17 2014 in a Kia car and was found to be carrying a bag containing £42,000 which the prosecution said was payment for drugs.

His barrister, Lloyd Morgan, said Harris had worked as a ventilation engineer, had no criminal record but had got into debt through gambling.

Mr Morgan said Harris was "acting under the direction of someone in Liverpool".

"He knew he was collecting money, but not how much."

The court was told that Harris had met up with Mohammed Javed in Riddlesden.

Javed, 30, of Bradford Road, Riddlesden, admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and will be sentenced next month.

The court was told that a police search of Javed's home uncovered a black bag containing £90,000 in cash hidden in a roof void, as well as several phones.

Javed's fingerprints were found on a £20 note in the roof void and other notes tested positive for traces of heroin and cocaine.

His lawyer, Andrew Dallas, asked the judge to grant Javed bail in order for him to put his life "in order" before the inevitable jail sentence.

Mr Dallas said Javed had three children and his wife was eight months pregnant.

Judge Thomas rejected the bail application, saying: "There is a significant sentence coming his way. Quite what he was doing allowing himself to become a father again. I have no confidence in him in terms of bail."

Javed was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on March 4.

The court heard that Javed has a previous conviction, in 2012, for possessing 15 wraps of cocaine.

Judge Thomas described the criminal network involved as "skilful" and "professional" in the way they had tried to cover their tracks, including the disposal of mobile phones.

The judge rejected the notion that those entrusted with lesser roles in the drugs conspiracy were "innocent saps".

"My very clear interpretation...is this was a skilfully planned and organised business. Those involved in it could not possibly have been innocent saps."

He said all those involved played significant roles in a sophisticated chain and had been motivated by a desire to make money.

Judge Thomas praised police investigators for their "dedicated and painstaking" work, which had included analysis of telephone evidence and a great deal of surveillance.

Detective Inspector, Jon Key, of West Yorkshire Police's Organised Crime Unit, said: "This has been a long, protracted and complex investigation.

"West Yorkshire Police welcome today’s sentences and they should be a deterrent to anyone actively engaging in organised criminality and the supply of Class A controlled drugs."