3 Indian-origin men sentenced to jail for running drugs network in UK | Details
London: The three Indian-origin men were sentenced to a total of 22 years of imprisonment in a case related to an organised crime network dealing in heroin and crack cocaine. One of the accused was serving as a magistrate at the time of his arrest.
According to the news agency PTI, Purshotam Dhillon (59) was serving as a magistrate at the time of his arrest. He allegedly allowed his position to facilitate the illegal items. He was sentenced to seven years’ jail at Croydon Crown Court in London on Thursday. Hardeep Thind (48) has been handed a 12-year and 6-month prison sentence, while Bikramjit Brar (46) has been sentenced to 3 years and 4 months' imprisonment.
Met’s Specialist Crime Unit shares details
“This was a complex and far-reaching investigation that uncovered a well-established organised crime network responsible for supplying significant quantities of Class A (banned) drugs across London,” Detective Inspector (DI) Mark Gavin from the Met’s Specialist Crime unit said while sharing details of the court’s order.
“As a serving magistrate, Dhillon abused a position of trust most seriously. This case demonstrates that no one is above the law, and those who engage in criminality will be held accountable,” he added further.
Probe conducted on data records, forensic evidence
Importantly, detectives from the unit thoroughly probed call data records, forensic evidence, and phone downloads to find those responsible for heroin and crack cocaine in London between October 2024 and July 2025. The network allegedly distributed drugs worth over 100,000 pounds, the police said.“County lines are far more than drug dealing – they exploit the vulnerable and fuel violence. We remain committed to relentlessly pursuing those responsible,” DI Gavin said.
“The investigation identified distinct roles within the network with Thind acting as the leader – coordinating supply and directing others; Purshotam Dhillon – a confessed drug addict – was found to store drugs, cash and equipment; Brar held and distributed drugs on behalf of the network while Lynch acted as a runner – facilitating supply and communications,” the Met Police said.
