AN illegal immigrant who barricaded himself in his bedroom to stop the police finding more than £30,000 of raw opium has been jailed for nine years.

Mohamed Asghari, of Moreton Tower, Acton, hid in his bedroom as police raided the flat on Friday October 23 last year and discovered three kilos of the class A drug hidden inside a china vase.

Officers from the MPS Serious and Organised Crime command watched as a courier company delivered a large package, originating from Istanbul, Turkey, to the flat at 12.45pm, and as they forced their way into the flat, the 35-year-old Iranian national took the parcel and barricaded himself in the bedroom.

Asghari pleaded not guilty at Kingston Crown Court but was convicted on Friday (April 23) for possession and his part in the supply of the class A drug which is rare in the UK but can fetch more money once refined.

Detective Inspector Colin Douglas from the MPS' Serious and Organised Crime Command said: "The MPS continues to investigate to target those involved in the sale and distribution of class 'A' controlled drugs.

"The seizure of raw opium is highly unusual and this arrest has caused a significant disruption to the organised criminal network involved. The removal of such drugs and detention of those who distribute them helps to make London's communities safer."

A further investigation revealed that Asghari is living in the UK unlawfully as he was unable to provide any means of identification.

The British Border Control Agency will deal with Asghari's immigration status once he has served his sentence.