Judge dismisses drug smuggler’s appeal

AN Oldham man jailed over a plot to smuggle massive amounts of heroin into the North-West has failed to convince top judges his 15-year jail term was over the top.

Imran Bashir, of Eric Street, received the tough sentence after he was convicted of conspiracy to supply drugs as well as escape and dangerous driving.

The 33-year-old was found guilty of the drugs offences at Ipswich Crown Court in October, 2005, and of the other charges at Manchester Crown Court in November, the same year.

Mr Justice Beatson, sitting with Lord Justice Laws and Mr Justice Blake in London’s Appeal Court, said Bashir had played a crucial role in a plot to smuggle large consignments of heroin from Belgium into the UK.

He was a “conduit” for the operation, acting as “junior partner” for one of the drugs network’s leading lights. One of his tasks was to purchase a £50,000 Porsche which was used as a down-payment for drugs, the court heard.

The conspiracy unravelled after police mounted an intensive surveillance operation in October, 2004, culminating in the seizure of 20 kilos of heroin when a car used by the gang was searched near Felixstowe, Suffolk, in February, 2005.

The drugs had a street value of around £1m. Bashir’s other offences occurred in April, 2004, when he sped off in his car — dragging a woman police officer 20 yards down the road — after he was pulled over for not wearing a seat belt.

Mr Justice Beatson dismissed claims that the 15-year term was “manifestly excessive” and concluded: “There is nothing in this appeal.”