Two arrested in Bradford after 170 kilograms of heroin seized at Heathrow

Arrests have been made in West Yorkshire over the attempted smuggling of a huge amount of heroin into the UK.
By Susie Beever
Published 27th May 2020, 17:53 BST
Updated 27th May 2020, 18:10 BST

Border forces at Heathrow Airport discovered 170 kilograms of the class A drug concealed inside freight boxes of fruit and nuts on Thursday (May 21).

Criminals had attempted to hide the drugs in envelopes concealed in the outer cardboard box walls, with each box containing around 270g of heroin.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police said it had been the largest amount of class A drugs detected at the airport so far this year. The haul would have had a potential street value of around £8.5 million.

Bags of heroin seized from boxes of fruit and nuts imported into the UK at Heathrow Airport last week. Pictures: National Crime AgencyBags of heroin seized from boxes of fruit and nuts imported into the UK at Heathrow Airport last week. Pictures: National Crime Agency
Bags of heroin seized from boxes of fruit and nuts imported into the UK at Heathrow Airport last week. Pictures: National Crime Agency

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said today (Wednesday) that two men aged 36 and 51 were arrested the following day in Bradford on suspicion of importing Class A drugs.

A third man was arrested in Birmingham on Saturday.

All three have been released under investigation.

Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Court Chris Philp said: “This substantial seizure was the largest class A drugs detection so far this year by Border Force at Heathrow.

Boxes of fruit and nuts - which were found to conceal 170kg worth of heroin - imported into the UK at Heathrow Airport last week. Pictures: National Crime AgencyBoxes of fruit and nuts - which were found to conceal 170kg worth of heroin - imported into the UK at Heathrow Airport last week. Pictures: National Crime Agency
Boxes of fruit and nuts - which were found to conceal 170kg worth of heroin - imported into the UK at Heathrow Airport last week. Pictures: National Crime Agency

“Illegal drugs fuel crime, violence and exploitation which is why our work to prevent them reaching our communities is so vital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Border Force will continue to work with the NCA and other law enforcement agencies to tackle the threat and bring drug smugglers before the courts.”

NCA Branch Commander, Mark Spoors, said: “This significant amount of heroin would have ended up on the streets of the UK and ultimately lined the pockets of the criminals involved in drug supply.

“Despite the restrictions in place, we are continuing to work closely with our partners at Border Force to keep the public safe and to fight the supply of illegal drugs; dismantling crime groups and cutting off their profits.

“We remain determined in our fight against serious and organised crime.”