Birmingham Crown Court Sentencing Results

Fadi Zemmour, a 36-year-old man of no fixed address, carried out a series of pickpocketing offences in Birmingham city centre over three months last summer, targeting women, the elderly, and carers. He preyed on victims while they were distracted, such as helping relatives or looking after children in pushchairs. He was identified by officers from Operation Taurus, arrested in London on December 12, and admitted the offences at Birmingham Magistrates Court on December 17 before being sentenced.

On September 2022, Andrew Worby and Onasis Depass were parked in a white van on an industrial estate in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, where they received a garden waste sack containing 25 kilograms of cocaine from Tayyab Iqbal in exchange for a shopping bag. National Crime Agency officers, in collaboration with the Central Motorway Police Group, intercepted the van near the M6 motorway, discovering the cocaine with an estimated street value of up to £2.5 million. Worby and Depass were arrested roadside.

On September 2022, Onasis Depass and Andrew Worby were parked in a white van on an industrial estate in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, where they received a garden waste sack containing 25 kilograms of cocaine from Tayyab Iqbal in exchange for a shopping bag. National Crime Agency officers, in collaboration with the Central Motorway Police Group, intercepted the van near the M6 motorway, discovering the cocaine with an estimated street value of up to £2.5 million. Depass and Worby were arrested roadside.

On September 2022, Tayyab Iqbal drove from Birmingham to an industrial estate in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, where he entered a storage unit and retrieved a garden waste sack containing 25 kilograms of cocaine. He then met Onasis Depass and Andrew Worby, handing over the sack in exchange for a shopping bag containing £20,000. The exchange was observed by National Crime Agency officers, who later intercepted the van and arrested Depass and Worby. Iqbal was arrested at his home.

Elvis Hoti, along with brothers Altin and Yleber, ran a Class A drugs line trading cocaine across the UK, sourcing from London and using couriers to transport large amounts to Bristol, Coventry, and Warwickshire. They also dealt substantial amounts of cannabis, supplied in Chester. Arrested in April 2021, investigations revealed mobile phone records and other evidence placing them at the heart of the supply chain. Seizures included cocaine worth over £175,000, cannabis valued at more than £170,000, and over £450,000 in cash. The operation made more than £700,000. Elvis continued supplying cannabis to a contact in Bristol while on bail.

Altin Hoti, along with brothers Elvis and Yleber, ran a Class A drugs line trading cocaine across the UK, sourcing from London and using couriers to transport large amounts to Bristol, Coventry, and Warwickshire. They also dealt substantial amounts of cannabis, supplied in Chester. Arrested in April 2021, investigations revealed mobile phone records and other evidence placing them at the heart of the supply chain. Seizures included cocaine worth over £175,000, cannabis valued at more than £170,000, and over £450,000 in cash. The operation made more than £700,000.

Yleber Hoti, along with brothers Altin and Elvis, ran a Class A drugs line trading cocaine across the UK, sourcing from London and using couriers to transport large amounts to Bristol, Coventry, and Warwickshire. Arrested in April 2021, investigations revealed mobile phone records and other evidence placing them at the heart of the supply chain. Seizures included cocaine worth over £175,000, cannabis valued at more than £170,000, and over £450,000 in cash. The operation made more than £700,000.

Part of a Coventry criminal gang involved in supplying tens of kilos of cocaine, cannabis, and amphetamines, and laundering over £1million between March and June 2020. The gang used Encro phones to coordinate dealings until deciphered by West Midlands ROCU officers.

Alayna Price, 39-year-old Commercial Manager at Birmingham Dogs Home (BDH), along with her husband Simon Price, stole £894,754.29 from the charity between 2012 and 2016 through false invoices and unauthorized transfers. The BDH became aware of the thefts on 2 November 2016 and contacted police.

Simon Price, former Chief Executive Officer at Birmingham Dogs Home (BDH), and his wife Alayna Price, created false invoices for work on the new BDH site in Solihull and sent false invoices to sponsors between 2012 and 2016. A property belonging to the charity based in Digbeth was sold and the proceeds totaling £399,274 were transferred into his personal account. The BDH became aware of the thefts on 2 November 2016 and contacted police.

Mohammed Uzair Rashid, a 35-year-old from Greater Manchester, attempted to smuggle almost 18 kilos of high-strength heroin (66-71% pure, worth over £900,000) into the UK through Birmingham Airport. He arrived on a flight from Sialkot, Pakistan, via Dubai, in November 2021. CCTV captured Border Force officers searching his checked-in baggage, where the drugs were found. Rashid initially claimed the bags were not his and that the packages were planted. He had flown to Pakistan on 29 September 2021 on a ticket booked the same day, claiming to take £500 savings from benefit payments for a holiday. WhatsApp messages showed constant contact with someone referred to as ‘Brother’, including advice to remain calm while passing through the airport in Pakistan.

Saif Iqbal, aged 23, from Ransom Road in Foleshill, co-ordinated the supply chain and managed safe houses for distributing cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy as part of the family-run drugs empire directed by his cousin Tavaseen Iqbal from prison. The operation was busted in a year-long West Midlands Police investigation.

Rohan Patel, aged 22, played a part in the conspiracy to supply cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy in the Coventry drugs network uncovered by West Midlands Police. He was arrested after returning from abroad following raids on July 13, 2016.

Mahmud Ali, aged 23, of St George’s Road, was involved in keeping the drugs business supplying cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy running around the clock as part of the nine-strong Coventry crime family network investigated by West Midlands Police.

Tavaseen Iqbal, aged 24, ran a drugs business supplying cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy from behind bars at HMP Featherstone using smuggled mobile phones to direct operations. He was previously jailed for six years in December 2015 for firearms and drugs offences. The year-long investigation by West Midlands Police uncovered the network following public concerns.

Kristoffer Bell, 34, of Redditch, was part of a 17-person drugs-dealing network involved in the trafficking of class A and B drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and cannabis, throughout the UK. The operation, known as Operation Weld, began in April 2014 and involved detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit at West Mercia Police collecting evidence against criminals from Worcestershire, the West Midlands, Humberside, Greater Manchester, and London. Seizures included drugs worth more than £1 million and over £175,000 in cash.

Dayo Cromwell, a 35-year-old car trader, was arrested in February 2014 after attempting to flee from police while driving a blue Citroen through Bulkington, Warwickshire. He was detained in a nearby garden and found in possession of crack cocaine worth £27,000. A search of his flat on Baldwin Croft, Bell Green, uncovered a large haul of Class A drugs including heroin and cocaine with a street value exceeding £992,000, along with cutting agent and a press machine for preparing deals. Additionally, a loaded MAC 10 machine gun with 23 live rounds and a further 42 bullets were recovered. The drugs were believed to be destined for sale on the streets of Coventry.