Exclusive:Iranian father-of-three smuggled eight kilos of opium from abroad via Rotherham mother and baby hostel
Khazei was snared by a “placebo” package delivered to his Rotherham address by anti-smuggling cops
An Iranian father-of-three smuggled eight kilos of opium from abroad via a Rotherham hostel for mothers and babies, a court heard.
One of Hosain Khazei’s packages - in transit via DHL - was intercepted at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport on February 16, 2023.
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An inspection uncovered a “metal cylinder” containing a “brown mass” thought to be “opiates”, sent from Dubai to the Rotherham address.
Prosecutor Nicola Hoskins told Sheffield Crown Court a “placebo” package was then delivered to the same Rotherham address - which was “accepted by the defendant”.
After being arrested on suspicion of attempting to import drugs Khazei was linked to an address in Manchester - his home - where four kilos of the drug, along with £46,000 cash were found hidden under some floorboards.
Ms Hoskins said after his arrest Khazei made comments about “being stupid”. She added: “He wanted to know how long he was going to get and appeared to be quite upset about the whole thing.
“He became quite concerned for his wife and children and asked for a couple of days to get them back to Iran.” Khazei accepted using the alias “Abbasi” for much of the conspiracy, the court heard.
There had been another potential attempt by Khazei in February 2023 to send drugs from Hamburg, Germany, to his home address, said the prosecutor.
However the package had been “returned to sender” and it’s actual contents were not proved. Evidence of Khazei working with another man in the smuggling was found on his devices, said Ms Hoskins.
They included discussions about tracking, customs charges and photos of the product. She said Khazei played a “leading role” with “close links potentially” to the original source and “expectation of financial advantage”.
His barrister Richard Barradell said Khazei was “very remorseful” and had had a “terrible time” in custody “because of his nationality”.
Judge Charles Thomas told him; “From the end of 2022 into 2023 you were in communication with others while importing opium.
“There were two consignments, both weighing four kilos sent to this country. You appear to have been the principle organiser. It’s clear you were going to receive significant financial gain.”
Although Khazei smuggled eight kilos of opium this was actually the much smaller equivalent of one kilo of heroin, Judge Thomas noted.
Khazei, of Yew Tree Road, Manchester, who had already been jailed for four years in what was described as the “first phase” of the prosecution, was handed another two years’ jail.
He admitted conspiring to smuggle and deal with Class A drugs.