REVENUE & CUSTOMS
PROSECUTION OFFICE News Release (PN08/006) issued by COI News
Distribution Service. 30 September 2008
Three members of a
drug smuggling network were today sentenced for their part in
distributing huge quantities of heroin through the Midlands.
Ronald van Overveld drove the drugs across from the Netherlands
on at least two occasions. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Two brothers, Parveez and Tabreaz Saddieq from Bordesley Green,
Birmingham formed part of the distribution network and met van
Overveld when he arrived. Parveez was sentenced to 26 years and
his brother 23 years in prison.
All were arrested when officers from SOCA swooped on 22 January
this year. Painstaking investigation pointed the officers towards
evidence of drug trafficking in excess of 1000kg of heroin -
estimated to be about 10 million individual street deals.
Judge Parker QC, sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court, described
the peddling of drugs as a scourge with a devastating effect on
society and commended the officers for their work.
Gregor McGill, Head of Serious Organised Crime at Revenue and
Customs Prosecutions Office said "I am delighted with the
result in this case and the sentences imposed. RCPO and SOCA will
continue to work closely together to ensure that the harm caused
to the UK by serious organised criminals is reduced."
Notes for editors
1. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was
created by Royal Assent on 18 April 2005. An independent
prosecuting authority, RCPO reports directly to the Attorney
General, and is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest
drug and fraud cases in the UK.
2. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) is an
intelligence-led agency formed in April 2006 to tackle Class A
drugs and organised immigration crime as top priorities. Other
priorities are fraud against individuals and the private sector,
hi tech crime, counterfeiting, the use of firearms, serious
robbery and recovery of the proceeds of crime. SOCA is an
Executive Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by, but
operationally independent from, the Home Office.
3. - Parveez SADDIEQ (01/03/83) - 26 years imprisonment for
possession of a controlled drug of Class A (a quantity of
Diamorphine) with intent to supply it to another contrary to
Section 5 (3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Tabreaz
SADDIEQ (25/07/79) - 23 years imprisonment for supply of a
controlled drug of Class A (Diamorphine) contrary to section 4
(3)(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Ronald VAN OVERVELD
(27/06/84) - 21 years imprisonment of the importation of a
quantity of diamorphine contrary to S170 (2) of the Customs and
Excise Management Act 1979.
4. For further information about the prosecution, please contact
Fiona Dick, RCPO Press Office on 0207 147 7746.