Major player in drugs gang brought down after police find Kinder Egg
22.04.2023 - 14:11
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A major player in a notorious criminal gang supplying heroin, cocaine, and guns across Greater Manchester and the North West has been jailed after he was found with a Kinder Egg stashed with drugs inside.
The organised crime gang, who were based in Cheetham Hill, trafficked firearms and 'wholesale amounts' of heroin and cocaine throughout the UK.
Their complex operation was only unearthed when Encrochat, a popular encrypted communication and service provider used by high-profile criminals, was infiltrated by police in 2020.
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In March 2020, during the beginning of the UK's coronavirus lockdown, Blake, along with co-defendant Mohammed Shahid, helped arrange for a courier to deliver six firearms and 180 rounds of ammunition to Luton.
But the gang's activities were rumbled when police hacked the EncroChat encrypted messaging service, a secretive phone network favoured by organised crime, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Blake used the EncroChat handle 'Lemursea', prosecutor Jamie Baxter said, and over an eight month period from March to December 2020 sent dozens of messages discussing the trafficking of heroin, cocaine and guns. Several EncroChat conversations between Blake, his co-accused Shahid, who went by 'Driphard', and an unidentified figure known only by the handle 'Mocky' indicated the various drops and collections of cash and drugs.
“In one exchange, six firearms were transferred to Luton. There was also an ongoing local operation in the Cheetham Hill area,” Mr Baxter said.
“It’s clear from the messages that the conspiracy was very well established by March 2020.”
The conversations between Blake and others showed them discussing the ongoing