TWO Bradford men have been found guilty of conspiring to supply heroin across the UK.

Fariman Khan and Francis Cooper, both of Reynolds Avenue, Great Horton, were arrested on October 18, 2017, by the National Crime Agency's Armed Operations Unit following a lengthy investigation.

Khan, 46, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs following a trial at Leeds Crown Court on July 12. Cooper, 61, pleaded guilty to the same charge in a hearing on April 10.

On July 1, 2016, Cooper drove a white Ford Transit van to Streatham in south London and met Carl Stanley, 41, and was observed by officers handing something to Stanley before they both drove away in separate vehicles.

Stanley was stopped by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service in the same street and arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Police found two blocks in his car which were later confirmed to be approximately two kilograms of heroin, with a street value of around £198,000.

The Armed Operations Unit investigated the handover and identified Khan as the facilitator of the drugs exchange.

Khan and Cooper were arrested in October 2017 and officers recovered mobile phones, SIM cars computer devices and more than £69,000 in cash during a search of the property.

Both men are currently being remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced on August 3.

Carl Stanley was jailed for four years in January.

Tim Gregory, NCA senior investigating officer said: “Khan has an extensive criminal history and seemingly no respect for law enforcement as he continued to offend while on licence from prison.

“He and Cooper have been found guilty of supplying vast amounts of class A drugs across the UK – drugs which fuel further crime, violence and exploitation and I have no doubt the public are safer now they are both behind bars”.