Information on Leicestershire
News Index
2012
Feb 2012Jan 2012
2011
Dec 2011Nov 2011
Oct 2011
Sep 2011
Aug 2011
Jul 2011
Jun 2011
May 2011
Apr 2011
Mar 2011
Feb 2011
Jan 2011
2010
Dec 2010Nov 2010
Oct 2010
Sep 2010
Aug 2010
Jul 2010
Jun 2010
May 2010
Apr 2010
Mar 2010
Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis
Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh
Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country’s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations.
Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the £36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).
Baljinder Singh Rai ( 41) of Huntsman Way in Leicester, Mohinder Singh Rai (45) of Portsdown Road in Leicester and Anjum Nazir (39) of Bloxams Close in Braunstone were all charged with fraudulent evasion of restriction to import class C drugs.
They pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing but details could not be released until the conclusion of the trial of a further eight men. Four of the final defendants were found guilty on Friday May 29 and two were found guilty today.
Sentencing is due to take place later this month. Two of the defendants were acquitted.
Detectives from Leicestershire Constabulary’s Special Operations Unit began investigating the trio around 18 months ago.
It was soon established that their involvement in the drugs trade stretched far wider than Leicestershire and local police joined forces with the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
Investigations established that the three Leicester men were assisting an Israeli organised crime group make arrangements in the UK to find a place to berth a tug boat under the ruse of setting up a tug business in Southampton. Months of surveillance work documented meetings between the two groups of men, including a number at a flat in Leicester which had been rented by the Leicester defendants for the Israeli men to use.
In March 2008 a 100ft ocean going tug boat, owned by one of the Israeli defendants Moshe Kedar, left Morocco and arrived in Southampton four weeks later.
On Wednesday April 9 officers from Leicestershire Constabulary arrested Baljinder Rai, Mohinder Rai and Nazir. At the same time SOCA, assisted by HM Revenue and Customs, the UK Borders Agency and Hampshire Police arrested a number of other people elsewhere in the country including those who had come on the boat.
The tug boat was also intercepted and found to contain 12.57 tonnes of cannabis resin with a street value of £36 million pounds. SOCA estimate it was enough cannabis to roll 36 million joints.
In total 12 people were charged with offences under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. Aside from the three from Leicester, all the defendants were from overseas - three Israelis, four Serbians and two Ukrainians – demonstrating the international impact of the investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector David Sandall, who led the Leicestershire side of the investigation, said: “This case demonstrates how different agencies can successfully work together to disable the international drugs trade.
“We began by investigating the activities of three Leicester men and it soon became apparent that they were involved in something much bigger than local drugs supply.
This case is a perfect example of how joined up inter-agency working can be extremely successful. Drugs are an international concern and to fight multi-national criminality you have to think, act and work outside the county boundaries. There’s no doubt in my mind that this drugs haul was bound for the streets of Britain, some of which would inevitably ended up in Leicester. By working with SOCA, the UKBA, HMRC and authorities in Israel we have targeted the problem at the source.
“There’s £36m of cannabis that will never reach the street dealers and there are 12 men now serving prison sentences for their part in this crime. All the Leicestershire Constabulary officers who worked on this case can feel proud of their achievements today and the part they played in a much bigger picture, targeting international drugs criminality, while at the same time disrupting local drugs supply and Leicestershire criminals.
Latest News
'Harborough Be Safe' helps 2000th person | |
|---|---|
 | 'Harborough Be Safe' helps 2000th person... 09 Feb 2012 'Harborough Be Safe' helps 2000th person |
Burglary campaign launches across Charnwood | |
| Burglary campaign launches across Charnwood... 09 Feb 2012 Burglary campaign launches across Charnwood |
Cemetary thefts in Newbold Verdon - police appeal for help | |
| Cemetary thefts in Newbold Verdon - police appeal for help... 09 Feb 2012 Cemetary thefts in Newbold Verdon - police appeal for help |
Inappropriate gesture made to a 16-year-old girl | |
| Inappropriate gesture made to a 16-year-old girl... 09 Feb 2012 Inappropriate gesture made to a 16-year-old girl |
Police arrest a man in connection with 2010 burglary in Leicester | |
| Police arrest a man in connection with 2010 burglary in Leicester Police have arrested a man in connection with a burglary that happened in Leicester in 2010. The incident happened on August 22, 2010, when iPods, laptops and cash was stolen from a house in Stuart Street.... 08 Feb 2012 Police arrest a man in connection with 2010 burglary in Leicester |
Related News
Three convicted men ordered to pay back their proceeds of crime | |
|---|---|
| Three convicted men ordered to pay back their proceeds of crimeThree men have been ordered to pay305,871. 77 under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).... 10 Sep 2010 Three convicted men ordered to pay back their proceeds of crime |
Four people convicted at crown court for their part in a human trafficking case | |
| Four people convicted at crown court for their part in a human trafficking caseTop L to R - Georgina Toma and Kirit Rabheru bottom L to R George Avram and Claudia GhenciuFour people have been convicted at Leicester Crown Court for their part in a human trafficking case. Georghe Avram (24), Georgiana Toma (31), Kirit Rabheru (59) and Claudia Ghenciu (33) were convicted after a 14 day trial.... 20 Jan 2012 Four people convicted at crown court for their part in a human trafficking case |
Operation Beanbag - Four men share 24-year prison sentence | |
 | Operation Beanbag - Four men share 24-year prison sentence Top (l-r) Johal, Chauhan, Flores. Bottom (l-r) Bhathal, Hayre, Mahngar, Mulla Four men have been sentenced today (Monday April 27) to a combined total of nearly quarter of a century in prison, after Leicestershire Constabulary uncovered a drug distribution network responsible for supplying Class A B and C drugs throughout England.... 28 Apr 2009 Operation Beanbag - Four men share 24-year prison sentence |
Six men sentenced to a total of more than 13 years for their part in a kidnap | |
| Six men sentenced to a total of more than 13 years for their part in a kidnapL to R Arvinder Singh Khera, Gurdeep Singh, Abdul Farooqui bottom L to R Amerjit Lal, Gurpreet Singh and Harjit Singh DhaliwalSix men have been sentenced to more than 13 years in total for their part in the kidnap of a woman from Leicester in July 2010. Arvinder Singh Khera (45) of Walsall, Abdul Farooqui (47) of Bolton, Gurdeep Singh Sandhu (28) of Wednesbury and Harjit Singh Dhaliwal (35) of West Bromwich pleaded guilty to kidnap and Amarjit Lal (45) and Gurpreet Singh (32) both of Walsall pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment.... 28 Oct 2011 Six men sentenced to a total of more than 13 years for their part in a kidnap |
Eight convicted after car insurance fraud scam uncovered | |
| Eight convicted after car insurance fraud scam uncoveredOne of the cars involved in the scamA total of five men and three women, from across the UK, have today been convicted at Leicester Crown Court for their part in a car insurance fraud scam worth tens of thousands of pounds. Fraudulent claims were made for damage and injuries from four collisions in Leicester and Birmingham.... 28 Apr 2011 Eight convicted after car insurance fraud scam uncovered |
Relevant News
£41M of Cannabis Seized | |
|---|---|
 | Leicestershire police has charged three local men with drug importation offences as part of an ongoing joint investigation with the Serious Organised Crime Agency... 19 Apr 2008 £41M of Cannabis Seized |
Leicester man sentenced after inciting people to grow cannabis | |
| A Leicester man has been sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Monday April 28, 2008) after pleading guilty to inciting people to grow cannabis plants. Andrew Woolhouse, 53, of Armadale Drive, Leicester, was arrested on March 27, 2007, after police launched an undercover operation into his Abbey Lane business Easy Grow.... 28 Apr 2008 Leicester man sentenced after inciting people to grow cannabis |
Leicester man sentenced after inciting people to grow cannabis | |
 | A local man has been sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Monday April 28) after pleading guilty to inciting people to grow cannabis plants.... 29 Apr 2008 Leicester man sentenced after inciting people to grow cannabis |
STARK WARNING PRISON FOR PROLIFIC CAR CLOCKERs | |
 | A two year joint car clocking investigation between Leicestershire Trading Standards and Leicestershire Police, culminated today with the two defendants being sentenced to a total of eight and half years in prison... 11 Jul 2008 STARK WARNING PRISON FOR PROLIFIC CAR CLOCKERs |
Two men sentenced in India for murder of Leicester businessman | |
 | Two men in India have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a Leicester businessman. Fifty nine year old Mohan Singh Biring from Greenland Drive in Humberstone, Leicester was attacked by a group of men armed with iron bars while leaving a restaurant in the Punjab on August 18, 2005. During the attack Mr Biring suffered fatal injuries.... 05 Sep 2008 Two men sentenced in India for murder of Leicester businessman |
Most Read News (today)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
|---|---|
| Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
 | Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
|---|---|
| Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
| Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Most Read News (alltime)
Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road | |
|---|---|
| Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road Officers from the force s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road. The collision occurred at around 7.... 08 Jun 2009 Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road |
Forensic Psychology | |
 | Volunteers are being sought to take part in a new study at the University of Leicester which will have important implications for forensic research. Participants are required to spend just 30 minutes undertaking memory tasks and questionnaires which will help to shed new light on the relationship between personality, the experience of life adversity, and eye-witness memory.... 23 May 2008 Forensic Psychology |
Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam | |
| Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scamTop L to R - Sandip Rana, Satish Ravat, Vishal Shah bottom L to R Bhavesh Patel and Jaswinder ChahalFive Leicester men have today (Thursday November 25) been sentenced for their part in an illegal immigration scam. Bhavesh Patel (27) of Columbine Road, Hamilton, Satish Ravat (28) of Arbour Road, Leicester, Sandip Singh Rana (29) of Moores Road, Leicester, Jaswinder Chahal (42) of Swithland Avenue, Leicester and Vishal Jitendra Shah (25) of Braemar Close, Leicester pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court at an earlier hearing to assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.... 25 Nov 2010 Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam |
Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse | |
| Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester RacecourseMembers from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Resilience Forum (LRF) have today (Wednesday October 27, 2010) been involved in a pre-planned exercise to test how emergency services would cope with a major incident. At 10.... 27 Oct 2010 Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse |
Missing girl returns home safe and well | |
| Missing girl returns home safe and well Officers investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl have confirmed she has returned safe and well. Sarah Dunn was reported missing from home on Monday May 25.... 08 Jun 2009 Missing girl returns home safe and well |