Multi-Million Pound Drug Smuggling Plot Uncovered
A father and son have been sentenced for their roles in a sophisticated organised crime plot to smuggle an astonishing £20,350,000 worth of heroin into the United Kingdom. Colin Bartlett, 54, and his 30-year-old son Lee Bartlett were key members of a criminal network that attempted to import the massive Class A drug shipment by concealing it within bottles of pomegranate juice.
The Elaborate Smuggling Operation
The criminal group established a company with a fake director specifically to facilitate the importation of the illicit cargo. In May 2023, law enforcement officers observed the pair along with 11 other workers as they unloaded a container holding 2.6 tonnes of juice at a location in Birmingham. Hidden within the liquid of regular-looking bottles was more than 420kg of heroin that had been sourced from Afghanistan.
This elaborate attempt to bypass UK border security was ultimately thwarted by officers who had been monitoring the group's activities. The National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that the drugs were laced within the pomegranate juice, making detection more challenging without specialised inspection.
Sentences and Ongoing Manhunt
Following their conviction, the Bartletts received suspended prison sentences. Colin Bartlett was handed a 24-month prison sentence suspended for two years, while his son Lee received an 18-month sentence suspended for two months.
Meanwhile, an appeal has been launched to locate two other men connected to the operation. Shamut Khan, 56, and Matiullah Zamankhel, 23, both from the Washwood Heath area of Birmingham, failed to comply with their bail conditions and are now wanted by authorities.
Derek Evans, a branch commander at the National Crime Agency, stated: "These men were part of an organised crime group seeking to import huge quantities of heroin into the UK, potentially generating millions of pounds of criminal profit and endangering vulnerable people across the country."
He added a direct warning to the fugitives: "Khan and Zamankhel will know they are wanted by the NCA and should be absolutely certain that we won't rest until we have tracked them down."
The Wider Context of UK Drug Importation
This case emerges against a backdrop of increasing drug seizures at UK borders. In the year up to March 2024, authorities intercepted a total of £3 billion worth of drug imports attempting to enter the country.
The NCA reports that criminal activity is being fuelled by record levels of opium production in Afghanistan, alongside rising cocaine production in Colombia. Crime groups are known to exploit corrupt officials at both ports and airports to facilitate the movement of large quantities of illegal substances into Britain.
Evans emphasised the agency's ongoing commitment: "Tackling class A drug trafficking is a priority for the NCA and we will continue to do all we can to stop those who try to import it." The public has been urged to contact authorities immediately if they have any information regarding the whereabouts of Khan or Zamankhel.
