A father and son from Birmingham have been spared an immediate prison sentence for their roles in a sophisticated plot to smuggle heroin worth over £20 million into Britain, concealed within cartons of pomegranate juice.
The Sophisticated Smuggling Operation
Colin Bartlett, 54, and his son Lee Bartlett, 30, from Bordesley Green, were key players in an organised crime group that orchestrated the importation of the class A drug from Afghanistan. The operation unravelled in May 2023, when detectives from the National Crime Agency (NCA) – often described as Britain's equivalent of the FBI – moved in on a shipping container in Birmingham.
Officers arrested the pair as they were in the process of unloading the container, which held 2.6 tonnes of pomegranate juice. Hidden amongst the legitimate cartons was a devastating secret: more than 420 kilograms of heroin had been dissolved into the liquid. The sheer volume of the seizure meant the drugs had an estimated street value of £20,350,000.
A Verdict and a Suspended Sentence
Following a trial, the Bartletts were found guilty in August 2025 of participating in the activities of an organised crime group. However, in a surprising turn, they were acquitted on a separate charge of conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug.
At sentencing, Colin Bartlett was given a 24-month jail term, while his son Lee received an 18-month sentence. The court, however, decided to suspend both sentences for a period of two years, meaning the pair will not serve immediate prison time unless they reoffend.
Ongoing Manhunt and Official Condemnation
The NCA has confirmed that its investigation is far from over. The agency is actively searching for two other men in connection with the case: Shamut Khan, 56, and Matiullah Zamankhel, 23, both from the Washwood Heath area of Birmingham. They are wanted for failing to answer bail in November 2023.
NCA Branch Commander Derek Evans issued a stern warning, stating the men have known links to the Alum Rock and Shaw Hill Road areas but could be anywhere. He urged the public to come forward with any information and cautioned that anyone assisting the fugitives could also face arrest.
Commander Evans strongly condemned the Bartletts' actions, emphasising the broader impact of their crime. 'These men were part of an organised crime group seeking to import huge quantities of heroin into the UK, potentially generating millions of pounds of criminal profit and endangering vulnerable people across the country,' he said. 'Tackling class A drug trafficking is a priority for the NCA and we will continue to do all we can to stop those who try to import it.'
