How a polo-loving businessman was a secret international drug lord

[ad_1] Sajid Iqbal & Ashitha Nagesh BBC Information

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2fc0/live/7cc94450-4313-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2fc0/live/7cc94450-4313-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2fc0/live/7cc94450-4313-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2fc0/live/7cc94450-4313-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2fc0/live/7cc94450-4313-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2fc0/live/7cc94450-4313-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2fc0/live/7cc94450-4313-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2fc0/live/7cc94450-4313-11f0-835b-310c7b938e84.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="BBC A composite image with a photo of Muhammed Asif Hafeez in the foreground. Behind are two people riding horses playing polo and a syringe and spoon." class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> BBC On the floor, Muhammed Asif Hafeez was an upstanding particular person.

A worldwide businessman and ambassador of a prestigious London polo membership, he rubbed shoulders with the British elite, together with members of the Royal Household.

He additionally frequently handed on detailed data to the authorities within the UK and Center East that, in some circumstances, led to the interception of big shipments of medication. He was motivated, he mentioned, just by what he noticed as his "ethical obligation to curb and spotlight prison actions".

At the least, that's what he would have had folks assume.

In actuality, Hafeez was himself what US officers described as "one of many world's most prolific drug traffickers".

From his residence within the UK, he was the puppet-master of an enormous medication empire, supplying many tonnes of heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis from bases in Pakistan and India that have been distributed internationally. The gangs he knowledgeable on have been his rivals - and his motivation was to rid the market of his rivals.

His standing within the underworld earned him the moniker "the Sultan".

However this prison energy and status wouldn't final ceaselessly. After a fancy joint operation between the British and American authorities, Hafeez, 66, was extradited from the UK in 2023. He pleaded responsible final November.

On Friday, he was sentenced to 16 years in a New York jail for conspiring to import medication - together with sufficient heroin for "hundreds of thousands of doses" - into the US. Having been in custody since 2017, Hafeez’s sentence will finish in 2033.

The BBC has intently adopted Hafeez's case. We've pieced collectively data from courtroom paperwork, company listings and interviews with individuals who knew him.

We wished to learn how he managed to remain beneath the radar for therefore lengthy - and the way he ultimately received caught.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/ec54/live/bef98940-ff3c-11ef-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/ec54/live/bef98940-ff3c-11ef-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ec54/live/bef98940-ff3c-11ef-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/ec54/live/bef98940-ff3c-11ef-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/ec54/live/bef98940-ff3c-11ef-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/ec54/live/bef98940-ff3c-11ef-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/ec54/live/bef98940-ff3c-11ef-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ec54/live/bef98940-ff3c-11ef-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Mark Greenwood A composite of two images. On the left is one of Prince Harry kissing the cheek of Hafeez's wife, who is wearing sunglasses and holding a bouquet of flowers. And the right is Hafeez smiling in the background with his wife and Prince William in the foreground, apparently in conversation. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Mark Greenwood Hafeez was an envoy for the celebrated Ham Polo Membership, the place in 2009 he was pictured along with his spouse, embracing Prince Harry and chatting to Prince William

Hafeez was born in September 1958 to a middle-class household in Lahore, Pakistan. One in all six youngsters, his upbringing was comfy. Folks in Lahore who knew the household advised the BBC that his father had owned a manufacturing facility close to town. Hafeez additionally later advised a US courtroom that he had educated as a business pilot.

From the early Nineteen Nineties to concerning the mid-2010s, he ran an outwardly professional umbrella firm referred to as Sarwani Worldwide Company, with subsidiary companies in Pakistan, the UAE and the UK.

In response to its web site - which has since been shut down - it bought technical tools to militaries, governments and police forces all through the world, together with tools for drug detection.

Among the many different companies beneath the Sarwani umbrella have been a textiles firm registered in varied nations, an Italian restaurant in Lahore that was a franchise of a widely known Knightsbridge model, and an organization named Tipmoor, based mostly close to Windsor to the west of London, which specialised in "polo and equestrian companies".

These companies not solely afforded him a luxurious way of life, however secured him entry to the UK's most unique circles. He was listed as a global ambassador for the celebrated Ham Polo Membership for at the very least three years, from 2009 to 2011. He and his spouse Shahina have been additionally photographed chatting to Prince William, and embracing Prince Harry, on the membership in 2009.

Ham Polo Membership advised the BBC that Hafeez had by no means been a member of the membership, that the membership not has "ambassadors", and that the present board "has no ties to him". It added that the occasion at which Hafeez and his spouse have been photographed assembly the princes "was run by a 3rd get together".

Sarwani's completely different international arms have been dissolved at varied phases within the 2010s, in line with their listings on Corporations Home and equal international registries.

'One thing fishy occurring'

A former Sarwani worker based mostly within the UAE advised the BBC he suspected there had been "one thing fishy occurring" when he labored for the enterprise, as a result of even massive tasks have been "solely paid for in money". The worker - who has requested to not be recognized, for worry of reprisals - mentioned he ultimately left the enterprise as a result of he felt uncomfortable with this.

"There have been no [bank] transactions, no information, no existence," he advised the BBC.

Hafeez would additionally periodically write letters to the authorities within the UAE and UK informing on rival cartels, beneath the guise of being a involved member of the general public.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/91c7/live/bfb25740-0013-11f0-a8b1-950887ddc6e5.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/91c7/live/bfb25740-0013-11f0-a8b1-950887ddc6e5.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/91c7/live/bfb25740-0013-11f0-a8b1-950887ddc6e5.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/91c7/live/bfb25740-0013-11f0-a8b1-950887ddc6e5.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/91c7/live/bfb25740-0013-11f0-a8b1-950887ddc6e5.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/91c7/live/bfb25740-0013-11f0-a8b1-950887ddc6e5.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/91c7/live/bfb25740-0013-11f0-a8b1-950887ddc6e5.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/91c7/live/bfb25740-0013-11f0-a8b1-950887ddc6e5.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="An extract from a 'letter of appreciation' from the British Embassy in Dubai, thanking Hafeez for his assistance in "apprehending a large consignment of drugs" by sharing intelligence" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> The BBC has seen these, in addition to letters he obtained in response from the British Embassy in Dubai and the UK Residence Workplace, thanking him and expressing their appreciation for him getting in contact.

The Residence Workplace advised the BBC it doesn't touch upon particular person correspondence.

The International, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace and the Authorities of Dubai have been contacted by the BBC for remark however didn't reply.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/78a9/live/f1034f70-0013-11f0-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/78a9/live/f1034f70-0013-11f0-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/78a9/live/f1034f70-0013-11f0-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/78a9/live/f1034f70-0013-11f0-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/78a9/live/f1034f70-0013-11f0-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/78a9/live/f1034f70-0013-11f0-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/78a9/live/f1034f70-0013-11f0-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/78a9/live/f1034f70-0013-11f0-8c3d-b7dcc7510cb1.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="An extract from a letter to Hafeez from the UK Home Office which reads "it is always interesting to hear the views of members of the public. We appreciate the time it has taken for you to write on these matters..."" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Members of Hafeez's household shared these letters with the BBC in 2018, whereas he was embroiled in a prolonged authorized battle in opposition to extradition to the US.

In addition they submitted them to courts within the UK and, later, to the European Court docket of Human Rights (ECHR), as proof that he had been an informant and wanted safety. All of the courts disagreed and dominated that this was a ploy by Hafeez to rid the market of rivals.

Hafeez, the ECHR mentioned, was "somebody who had delivered to the eye of the authorities the prison conduct of others who he knew to be precise or potential rivals to his substantial prison enterprise".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/ac30/live/86f64dc0-0014-11f0-b50e-9d086302645f.png.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/ac30/live/86f64dc0-0014-11f0-b50e-9d086302645f.png.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ac30/live/86f64dc0-0014-11f0-b50e-9d086302645f.png.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/ac30/live/86f64dc0-0014-11f0-b50e-9d086302645f.png.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/ac30/live/86f64dc0-0014-11f0-b50e-9d086302645f.png.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/ac30/live/86f64dc0-0014-11f0-b50e-9d086302645f.png.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/ac30/live/86f64dc0-0014-11f0-b50e-9d086302645f.png.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ac30/live/86f64dc0-0014-11f0-b50e-9d086302645f.png.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Extract from a letter Hafeez wrote to the Dubai government sharing detailed information on drug deals. It says that almost every week, large quantities of heroin are coming from Pakistan and Iran via fishing boats. It says that this has been going on for the past two years. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Whereas Hafeez was writing these letters, a gathering happened in 2014 that - regardless of him not being there - would result in his downfall.

Two of Hafeez's shut associates met a possible purchaser from Colombia in a flat in Mombasa, Kenya. They burned a small quantity of heroin so as to show how pure it was, and mentioned they might provide him with any amount of "100%... white crystal".

The provider of this high-quality heroin, they'd advised the customer, was a person from Pakistan generally known as "the Sultan" - that's, Hafeez.

What they might quickly study was that the "purchaser" from Colombia was really working undercover for the US's Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). All the assembly was a part of an elaborate sting operation, and had been covertly filmed - footage that has been obtained by the BBC.

Watch the undercover operation that helped catch two of Hafeez's shut associates (video has no sound)

US courtroom paperwork reveal the deal was co-ordinated by Baktash and Ibrahim Akasha, two brothers who led a violent cartel in Kenya. Their father was himself a feared kingpin who had been killed in Amsterdam's Purple Gentle District in 2000.

The deal additionally concerned Vijaygiri "Vicky" Goswami, an Indian nationwide who managed the Akashas' operations.

In October 2014, with the Akashas, Goswami and Hafeez nonetheless unaware of who the consumers actually have been, 99kg of heroin and 2kg of crystal meth have been delivered to the pretend Colombian traffickers. The Akashas promised to offer a whole bunch of kilograms extra of every drug.

A month later, the Akasha brothers and Goswami have been arrested in Mombasa. They have been launched on bail shortly afterwards, and spent over two years combating extradition to the US.

Within the background, American regulation enforcers have been working with counterparts within the UK to piece collectively their case in opposition to Hafeez, partly utilizing proof gathered from units they'd seized once they arrested Goswami and the Akasha brothers. On these, they'd discovered a number of references to Hafeez as a serious provider, and have been capable of finding sufficient proof to determine him as "the Sultan".

Going through fees within the US did not cease one of many males, Goswami, from persevering with his unlawful enterprise. In 2015, whereas on bail in Kenya, he hatched a plan with Hafeez to move a number of tonnes of a drug referred to as ephedrine from a chemical manufacturing facility in Solapur, India, to Mozambique.

Ephedrine, a strong medicine that's authorized in restricted portions, is used to make methamphetamine. The 2 males - Goswami and Hafeez - deliberate to arrange a meth manufacturing facility in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, US courtroom paperwork present. However their scheme was deserted in 2016, when police raided the Solapur plant and seized 18 tonnes of ephedrine.

The Akasha brothers and Goswami lastly boarded a flight to the US to face trial in January 2017.

Hafeez was arrested eight months later in London, at his flat within the prosperous St John's Wooden neighbourhood. He was detained at excessive safety Belmarsh Jail in south-east London, and it was from there that he spent six years combating extradition to the US.

A giant growth occurred in 2019 within the US. Goswami pleaded responsible, and advised a New York courtroom he had agreed to co-operate with prosecutors. The Akasha brothers additionally pleaded responsible.

Baktash Akasha was sentenced to 25 years in jail. His brother Ibrahim was sentenced to 23 years.

Goswami, who's but to be sentenced, would have testified in opposition to Hafeez within the US had the case gone to trial.

From Belmarsh, Hafeez was working out of choices.

He tried to cease extradition to the US - however didn't persuade magistrates, the Excessive Court docket in London and the ECHR that he had, in truth, been an informant to the authorities who was "liable to ill-treatment from his fellow prisoners" consequently.

He additionally claimed the situations in a US jail could be "inhuman and degrading" for him due to his well being situations, together with sort 2 diabetes and bronchial asthma.

He misplaced all of those arguments at each stage and was extradited in Could 2023.

His case didn't go to trial. In November final yr, Hafeez pleaded responsible to 2 counts of conspiring to fabricate and distribute heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis and to import them into the US.

Pre-sentencing, prosecutors described the "extraordinarily lucky circumstances" of Hafeez's life, which "throw into harsh reduction his determination to scheme... and to revenue from the distribution of harmful substances that destroy lives and entire communities".

"In contrast to many traffickers whose drug actions are borne, at the very least partially, from desperation, poverty, and a scarcity of academic alternatives," they mentioned, "the defendant has lived a life replete with privilege and selection."