Man jailed for tricking his wife into smuggling half a million pounds worth of heroin into Heathrow

Seized: Heroin was sewn into the dresses
National Crime Agency
Hannah Al-Othman29 November 2015
WEST END FINAL

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A man has been jailed for tricking his own wife into smuggling hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of heroin into Heathrow Airport.

Taxi driver Waseem Anwar Choudry, 31, of Chichester Court, Slough gave his wife eight dresses to bring back from Pakistan, which unbeknown to her had 3.5 kilogs of the class A drug - worth almost half a million pounds - sewn inside.

Border Force officers found the drugs in Nazreen Anwar’s bag after she stepped off a flight from Islamabad on June 28, and she was arrested.

In interviews with National Crime Agency investigators the 28-year-old said she had been in Pakistan for a two week holiday, and claimed her husband had given her the dresses to bring back, saying she did not know the drugs were inside.

Choudry had been due to fly back a few days after his wife but did not board the plane, and he was arrested by the National Crime Agency six weeks later attempting to re-enter the country at St Pancras International rail terminal, having travelled from Pakistan via Paris.

Jailed: Waseem Choudry
National Crime Agency

He was jailed for eight years at Isleworth Crown Court after admitting to packing his wife’s bags before her flight, and pleaded guilty to being involved in the importation of 3.5 kilos of class A drugs with a potential street value of £470,000.

His wife was found not guilty of involvement in the importation following a trial at the same court.

Siobhan Micklethwaite, from the NCA’s Heathrow border investigation team, said: “This was a cynical attempt to import a large amount of class A drugs by a man who seemed quite happy for his wife to take all the risks on his behalf.

Heroin: eight dresses were found to contain the drug
National Crime Agency

“Heroin is a dangerous substance which fuels criminality, from the organised gangs and dealers involved in making and distributing it to the street addicts who turn to crime to pay for their habit.

“This is why the NCA and our law enforcement partners are determined to do all we can to stop traffickers and disrupt the criminal networks involved.”

Phil Douglas, Border Force Heathrow Director, added: “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. This case shows however criminals try to conceal drugs, our officers are experts at finding them.

“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.”

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