Leila Abdul-Rasool had a client who faced an indictment for conspiracy to import class A drugs, namely 3.9kg of opium and also some simple possession charges. It was a case involving four co-defendants, one of whom was the co-defendant’s brother-in-law.

On 7 February 2012 UKBA officers at Heathrow Airport detected a quantity of opium hidden at the bottom of two boxes. The parcels had been sent from Iran via Dubai to an address in Mill Hill London. A controlled delivery took place on 10 February 2012. The client was arrested when he was observed by officers helping his brother-in-law carry a box from the boot of one of the co-defendant’s car to his flat in Chelsea Harbour. It was the client’s case that he had no knowledge of the contents of the boxes and was just helping his brother-in-law carry the parcel to his flat (where the brother-in-law, normally resident in Iran, was staying). When his home was searched, the police found various paraphernalia associated with opium use. They also found distinct tea sets of the same brand and design that were found concealing the drugs in the parcels. The Crown therefore inferred there must have been previous consignments delivered. On this point, it was the client’s contention that these tea sets were purchased in England as a gift for his wife, by his son, who now lives in Brussels.

In preparation of the client’s defence, Leila visited various Iranian shops in Southwest and West London and managed to trace the same design of tea set, to show that these tea sets may well have been bought in London and were not part of other consignments. Leila gave evidence in court to this effect.

The client’s brother-in-law pleaded guilty before trial and the other two co-defendants’ defence was that they thought the parcels contained antiques from Iran.

After a three-week trial, our client was acquitted and was delighted with the result.