Man “Brought Misery And Violence” To Bristol – Hundreds of Kilos Of Heroin Found

Writer: Gayle Goh on Jul 16 2010.

Tariq Dad, 43, is an infamous drug trafficker who once controlled a heroin distribution network supplying dealers throughout the southwest of England, including Bristol, from which he hails.

But his multi-million pound dealings have been brought to a halt by the national Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Multiple raids have seen 90 kilos of heroin seized at a warehouse in Istanbul with the co-operation of the Turkish National Police. 21 kilos and £85,000 were also intercepted from a courier working for Tariq’s brother Mazar.

The operation was conducted in partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service as well as the Avon and Somerset Police, whose efforts resulted in the seizure of over 60 kilos of heroin, 10 kilos of cocaine and cash amounting to a £60,000.

Today, Tariq was sentenced to an additional 11 years in prison aimed at putting him out of business forever.

SOCA is also pushing for travel restrictions and blockages on mobile phone and banking access to take effect upon his release.

A violation of any of these measures could lead to a five year sentence.

“Tariq Dad and his network brought misery and violence to Bristol for years,” said Matt Horne, Head of Investigations, SOCA. “He thought he was untouchable, using others to do his dirty work while he lived the high life, but we were watching his every move.

“Like every organised criminal, he relied on reputation to stay in business. SOCA and its partners attacked every link in the chain, from street dealers to overseas suppliers, to undermine his status. Eventually other criminals would no longer trade with him for fear of being arrested.”

Dad and his conspirators — Mazar Dad, Wakar Shah and Garrie Jones — were charged and sentenced in 2009.

A fifth man, Omar Tariq, had already been imprisoned in 2008 for his involvement in the drug plot and the possession of a firearm.

Ian Welch, senior lawyer with the Crown Prosecution Service’s Organised Crime Division, commented:

“The Crown Prosecution Service, along with SOCA, took steps to freeze Tariq Dad’s assets, including offshore bank accounts, which meant an end to his previously luxurious lifestyle. This meant he had to return to getting his hands dirty with drug deals instead of using lieutenants and creaming off the profits. This led to SOCA investigators gathering more evidence against him about his life of crime.

“This operation and prosecution has also led to the arrest of the man suspected to be the gang’s heroin supplier in Turkey and to the conviction of the London-based supplier of cocaine in another part of the conspiracy, shutting it down from top to bottom.”

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