TWO men from Birmingham have been jailed this week for a total of 24 years after being found guilty of smuggling Class A drugs into the UK through Manchester airport.

Noor Ul Basar, aged aged 27 of Cherrywood Road, Bordersley Green, Birmingham and Hussain Zada, 52 of Coventry Road, Small Heath were arrested by officers from HM Revenue & Customs  and the UK Border Agency.

Officers searched baggage and discovered the Class A drugs concealed within the sides and base of a suitcase when Basar arrived at Manchester airport on 11 April from Lahore, Pakistan.

The drugs, approximately five kilos of heroin had a street value of around £466,000. As with any drugs with a high purity level the value would likely have doubled or trebled once ‘cut’ by drug dealers before being sold on local streets.

The operation was then passed to customs to continue investigations. Officers searched premises and interviewed both men. Zada was initially bailed pending further investigations, but later charged in July this year.

HMRC Criminal Investigations, Peter Hollier said: "Working with our colleagues in the UKBA we will take every action to detect, seize and bring those smuggling drugs into the country before the courts.

"Drug smuggling impacts hard on the local community and we will do all we can to reduce the harm it causes.

"This is a serious offence and we would strongly encourage anyone with information relating to smuggled goods to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk."

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and were found guilty following a trial in September at Manchester Crown Court.

Ul Basar, who has been unemployed and on benefits for the last three years was jailed for 11 years and retired Zada for 13 years on Wednesday 8 October 2008.