Four accused of drugs conspiracy

Lelah Ali, 45, and three male co-accused Hersi Farah, 47, Sharrif Ali, 45, and Warsame Nur, 42, were denied bail when they appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The Somali-born quartet, who all have British citizenship, were arrested along with three others following counter-terrorism raids on homes in London, Coventry and Cardiff last week.

They were jointly accused of conspiracy as part of a police probe into the illegal exportation of khat to the US and Canada where it is illegal, though it is legal in the UK.

The charges relate to the alleged mislabelling of parcels being sent from the UK.

Nur, who has a wife in Somalia and four children in the UK, faces a further count of false misrepresentation.

All defendants, who were charged with conspiracy contrary to the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, will next appear at Southwark Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on July 6.