A group of men, including two from Bradford, has been sentenced to prison for a scheme to hide £1 million worth of cannabis in pots disguised as citronella candles. The cannabis, concealed in containers labeled for a legitimate business, was imported from Malaga, Spain, and intended for a business in Bootle, Liverpool.
The operation was disrupted when Border Force Officers intercepted the delivery at Tilbury Docks in Essex on April 17, 2023. Investigators discovered that the haul included 182 kilograms of cannabis resin, which had a reported street value of around £1 million.
Following a thorough investigation, four individuals were charged with conspiracy to import a controlled drug and received a total of more than 19 years in prison. Raja Hamid Ali, 39, from Thornbury Avenue, Bradford, was sentenced to five years and six months after being found guilty at trial. Shahrukh Ali, 28, also from Bradford, received a four-year sentence after his conviction.
Steven Garbutt, 64, from Middleton Park Road, Leeds, was sentenced to six years, while Ian Hannah, 56, from Liverpool Road, Lydiate, pleaded guilty before trial and was sentenced to four years and three months.
Detective Inspector Paul McVeigh stated that this case demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration among law enforcement agencies across the UK in combating serious organized crime. He emphasized that the significant quantities of drugs imported posed a serious threat to communities. McVeigh noted, “This is yet another example where cannabis is proven to be a drug with concrete links to serious organised crime, and in fact is not a harmless drug at all.”
He further assured the public that law enforcement will continue to work closely, both nationally and internationally, to dismantle such criminal networks. Community members are encouraged to report any information about drug-related activities anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
