Men jailed for role in multi-million pound drug smuggling ring

A group of drug dealers have been jailed for their role in a multi-million pound drug smuggling ring, which involved trafficking heroin in children's clothing.

Customer service agent Shafaqat Hussain, 39 of Perry Park Road in Rowley Regis (top left), headed the importation operation.

It saw more than 40 kilos of heroin smuggled into the UK from Pakistan.

Working alongside him were: floor layer Sakander Riaz, 34 of Belchers Lane, Bordesley Green (top centre); unemployed Jason Tremayne, 45 of Latelow Road, Kitts Green (top right); unemployed Andrew Yaqub, 44 of Latelow Road, Kitts Green (bottom left); brothers and shopkeepers Usman, 23 (bottom centre), and Umar Farooq, 31 (bottom right) both of Latelow Road, Kitts Green; as well as unemployed Harji Varsani, 54 of no fixed address.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Cape said:

The sentences:

  • Shafaqat Hussain - pleaded guilty to conspiring to import heroin. Jailed for 17 years

  • Sakander Riaz - pleaded guilty to conspiring to import heroin. Jailed for 13 and a half years

  • Jason Tremayne - found guilty of conspiring to import heroin. Jailed for seven years

  • Andrew Yaqub - pleaded guilty to allowing his premises to be used in connection with drug trafficking offences. Jailed for 18 months

  • Harji Varsani - found guilty of conspiring to import heroin. Jailed for five years

  • Usman Farooq - pleaded guilty to conspiring to import heroin. To be sentenced in May

  • Umar Farooq -pleaded guilty to conspiring to import heroin. To be sentenced in May