Syam Soni secures unanimous acquittal in £8.5m drugs trial

April 10, 2025

Syam Soni has successfully defended a client charged in connection with the importation of over 100kg of Class A drugs, following a major National Crime Agency investigation known as Operation Thirtieth.

The complex and high-profile prosecution was brought by the Crown Prosecution Service’s Complex Casework Unit, in conjunction with the NCA and centred around the alleged importation of heroin, valued at approximately £8.5 million on the street, from Pakistan into the UK via air freight.

The case, tried at Bradford Crown Court, involved extensive surveillance and investigation. The drugs were allegedly concealed in traditional Asian women’s clothing and delivered to various addresses across the North of England. The prosecution’s case was that Syam’s client, a single mother of three children, was a knowing participant in the conspiracy and had agreed to receive a significant quantity of drugs at her home address.

Throughout the 4.5-week trial, Syam challenged the prosecution’s case, arguing that his client had no knowledge of the contents of the packages and had been manipulated and exploited by those higher up the criminal chain. The trial involved complex legal submissions, including arguments on bad character and the structure and scope of conspiracy law.

The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict, fully acquitting the defendant.

Syam Soni is a criminal defence specialist whose principal areas of expertise include conspiracy to murder, multi-handed violence/disorder, serious sexual offences and multi-handed drugs conspiracies.