LONDON: Border Force officers at Heathrow who intercepted a heroin haul worth £632,000 have helped put the drug smuggler behind bars.
Khalid Mahmood, 46, of Colonial Road in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, who pleaded guilty to drugs importation was jailed for five years and three months at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday (January 7).
The Pakistani national, was stopped by Border officers in the green channel at Terminal 4 after he arrived on a flight from Lahore, via Abu Dhabi, on November 24 2015.
He had one checked-in bag which was searched by officers and concealed within the items of clothing they found two tape-wrapped packages which when tested were found to be around 5.5kgs of heroin with a street value of £632,700.
Mahmood was arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling and the case was referred to the National Crime Agency to investigate.
Phil Douglas, Border Force Heathrow director, said: “Border Force officers are the front line in the fight against smuggling and play a crucial role in protecting the UK from illegal drugs and other contraband.
“I hope the length of the sentence handed to Mahmood serves as a warning to others who would consider trafficking heroin.
“Working with our colleagues in the NCA we are determined to do all we can to prevent drug smuggling and put those responsible behind bars.”
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call our hotline on 0800 59 5000.
