Ahoor Ramabark Fathi, 62, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in a drug line that transported large quantities of gamma butyrolactone (GBL) from Manchester to London, while also supplying crystal meth in the opposite direction.
Arrest and Seizure
Police body-worn camera footage captured the moment Fathi was arrested at a property in Ealing on March 18. Officers searched a storage container rented by Fathi and discovered 188 boxes, each containing 12 one-litre bottles of GBL—totalling 2,256 litres. They also found £100,000 in cash, 456g of crystal meth, ammunition and a firearm at his property in Ealing.
Investigation
The Metropolitan Police identified Fathi as a key suspect after receiving intelligence from Greater Manchester Police. The Met's Specialist Crime Unit examined months of phone data to establish Fathi's involvement. Two properties in Ealing and one in Southall, both in West London, were identified as being linked to Fathi and believed to be used for storing drugs and money.
Sentencing and Warning
Fathi, of Willowbrook Road, Southall, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs, possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of criminal property at Isleworth Crown Court on April 17. He was sentenced on July 23.
Detective Inspector Mark Gavin, who led the investigation, said: "Drug supply causes significant harm to communities across London and is often linked to exploitation, violence and other serious criminality. This seizure represents one of the largest quantities of GBL recovered in London and has prevented a substantial amount of the drug from reaching our streets.
"GBL and crystal meth are frequently associated with serious offences. We recognise that victims can face barriers to reporting crimes linked to drug use and exploitation, which can result in offending going unreported.
"Protecting Londoners remains our priority. We encourage anyone who has been affected by these crimes to come forward and speak to police. We will continue to target and dismantle organised crime groups responsible for supplying harmful drugs and causing harm within our communities."
The Met says GBL is well known as a 'date rape drug', with potential adverse effects including memory loss, addiction and overdose. According to the NHS, the liquid substance can also cause a loss of inhibitions and sedation.
