Four people were jailed on Friday (21 March 2025) for a total of over 19 years after £1m of cannabis was found concealed in pots disguised as Citronella candles.
On 17 April 2023, 182kg of cannabis resin, with a street value in the region of £1m, was intercepted by Border Force officers at Tilbury Docks in Essex.
The cannabis, which was concealed in pots disguised as Citronella candles with legitimate business labels had been imported from Malaga in Spain and was destined for a business premises in the Bootle area of Merseyside.
Following an extensive enquiry, the following people were charged with conspiracy to import a controlled drug.
Steven Garbutt, 64, of Middleton Park Road, Leeds, was found guilty after trial at Liverpool Crown Court and sentenced to six years.
Ian Hannah, 56, of Liverpool Road, Lydiate, pleaded guilty prior to trial and was sentenced to four years and three months.
Raja Hamid Ali, 39, of Thornbury Ave, Bradford, was found guilty after trial and sentenced to five years and six months.
Shahrukh Ali, 28, of Kenley Mount, Bradford, was found guilty after trial and sentenced to four years.
Detective Inspector Paul McVeigh said:
“This case highlights the capabilities we have in teaming up with law enforcement colleagues across the UK to track and catch serious organised crime groups.
“The quantities of drugs being imported were significant and the group stood to make a great deal of money from selling it on the streets of Merseyside via other criminals.
“This is yet another example where cannabis is proven to be a drug with concrete links to serious organised crime, and in fact is not a harmless drug at all. We will continue to work closely with colleagues nationally and internationally to take down gangs like this and put them behind bars so that they cannot bring harm to our communities.”
Anyone with information about drugs in their community can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This post is based on a press release issued by Merseyside Police
Main photo: Steven Garbutt
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