Latest news with #EncroChat
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
‘TupacDon' drug mob taken down on motorway after cops search car's secret compartment
GANG BUSTED | The trio of men were caught after cops hacked the encrypted network EncroChat Abdul Bahadir was behind the wheel of the car on July 28th 2020, with co-accused Husnain Ali (36) in the passenger seat. Cops intercepted the car on the M61 and, upon searching the vehicle, uncovered a secret compartment packed with cocaine, mixing agents and digital scales. Read more Both men were arrested, and a series of follow-up raids were conducted at properties in Oldham and Chorlton. Police recovered £157,000 in cash, a vacuum packing machine, digital scales, and 'vast amounts' of luxury designer clothing at Bahadir's address in Oldham. Meanwhile, the home of a third man Mohammed Omayr (41) was searched in Chorlton, with almost £25,000 in cash, designer clothing and a watch recovered. Cops found he had a black Lamborghini Urus, estimated to be worth more than £200,000, parked on his driveway. The trio, who supplied heroin and cocaine across England, were targeted after authorities hacked encrypted messaging platform EncroChat. Bahadir used the handles 'TupacDon' and 'Simonsays', with cops discovering Ali also used these accounts from time to time. Greater Manchester Police say Omayr was responsible for the sale, distribution, returns, testing, storage, and payments for a huge amount of class A drugs. Bahadir acted as a courier, moving money and drugs across the country daily. He also ran the gang's stash houses and originally acted as the gang's accountant, but was promoted to courier when their business took off. The three men were jailed for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Ali then took on the role of accountant, which saw him count and pack money for onward delivery and storage. Ali took over Bahadir's role of the gang's accountant, which saw him counting and packaging the money for onward delivery and storage. The three men appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Monday to be sentenced fro their crimes. Abdul Bahadir and Husnain Ali pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Bahadir from Allama Iqbal Road, Oldham was jailed for 11 years and six months, while Ali of Spinning Mews, Bolton was handed eight years and 11 months. Mohammed Omayr, with an address of Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, was jailed for 16 years and four months, after a jury found him guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Drugs, money and watches seized by Manchester Police. News in 90 Seconds - June 18th "These men went to great lengths to conceal their illicit enterprise; they used encrypted mobile phones and built a hidden compartment in the cars they used to transfer the commodity in, all in an attempt to operate in secret,' Detective Constable Bryan Deighton, of Bury police, said following their sentencing. "These men were driven by greed and spent their obscene proceeds of crime on designer clothes and flashy cars, unbothered that this wealth was gained at the expense of vulnerable drug users. "I hope today's sentence is a stark reminder to criminals across Greater Manchester, regardless of time passed, we continue to investigate those who used encrypted phones, and we will continue with our relentless pursuit until you are brought to justice."
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Trio of drug dealers busted on motorway after cops open secret compartment
The gang shipped huge quantities or heroin and cocaine across the country using names such as 'TupacDon' and 'Simonsays', before their operation came crashing down. A trio of big-time drug dealers are the latest crooks to be busted after police hacked the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat. The gang shipped huge quantities or heroin and cocaine across the country using names such as 'TupacDon' and 'Simonsays', before their operation came crashing down - when cops stopped found a secret compartment of a car on a the M61. As the Manchester Evening News reports, Mohammed Omayr, 41, from Chorlton; Abdul Bahadir, from Oldham, 41; and Husnain Ali, 36, from Bolton, have all been handed lengthy jail sentences after a probe uncovered 'dirty' cash, designer clothes and watches. Omayr headed up the sale, distribution, returns, testing, storage, and payments for a huge haul of class A drugs, according to Greater Manchester Police. He directed his courier, Bahadir, to shift massive amounts of cash and to deliver drugs to customers across the country on a daily basis, with stashes of cocaine and heroin hidden in a compartment of his car. Bahadir, who also ran Omayr's 'stash houses', had originally acted as the gang's accountant, but later became a courier as their business became more and more successful, using the EncroChat handles 'TupacDon' and 'Simonsays'. Ali took over Bahadir's role of the gang's accountant, which saw him counting and packaging the money for onward delivery and storage. The trio used the now defunct encrypted messaging platform, Encrochat, which allowed crooks to communicate safely away from eyes of law enforcement agencies. That ended when investigators hacked into EncroChat's server in Roubaix, northern France, in April 2020, sending bogus updates to devices across the globe which effectively mined the incriminating data criminals wanted so much to conceal. Detectives brought the trio to justice after trawling through thousands of messages they exchanged as part of their operation, with Ali also using same handles on occasions. Officers swooped on the evening of Tuesday, July 28, in 2020, stopping a car on the southbound carriageway of M61. Bahadir was at the wheel while Ali was a front seat passenger. Police searched the car, uncovering the secret compartment which was packed full of cocaine, mixing agents, and digital scales. They were both arrested. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Later that evening, police raided a series of properties in Oldham and Chorlton. At Bahadir's address in Oldham, police recovered over £157,000 in cash hidden around the property, a vacuum packing machine, digital scales, and 'vast amounts' of luxury designer clothing. At Omayr's home in Chorlton, police found almost £25,000 in cash, designer clothing and a watch. On his driveway, he had a black Lamborghini Urus, estimated to be worth more than £200,000 and more cash. The men were finally brought to justice when they were jailed at Manchester Crown Court on Monday (June 16). Omayr, of Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, was jailed for 16 years and four months after a jury had earlier convicted him of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Bahadir, of Allama Iqbal Road, Oldham, was jailed 11 years and six months. Ali, of Spinning Mews in Bolton was sentenced to eight years and 11 months. The pair had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. After the hearing, Det Con Bryan Deighton, of Bury police, said: "These men went to great lengths to conceal their illicit enterprise, they used encrypted mobile phones and built a hidden compartment in the cars they used to transfer the commodity in, all in an attempt to operate in secret. "These men were driven by greed and spent their obscene proceeds of crime on designer clothes and flashy cars, unbothered that this wealth was gained at the expense of vulnerable drug users. "I hope today's sentence is a stark reminder to criminals across Greater Manchester, regardless of time passed, we continue to investigate those who used encrypted phones, and we will continue with our relentless pursuit until you are brought to justice."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Famed boxing trainer Stefy Bull facing up to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of serious drug offenses
Prominent boxing trainer and manager Stefy Bull is facing a potential 16-year prison sentence after being convicted of drug-related charges in England. Bull, whose real name is Andrew Bulcroft, was unanimously found guilty by a jury at the Sheffield Crown Court for conspiracy to supply cocaine. The 48-year-old former professional boxer, who shared the ring with legendary British pugilist Amir Khan in 2007, has been in custody since Feb. 28 and is expected to be sentenced on Aug. 26. Advertisement Bull was found to have used the now-defunct EncroChat encrypted network under the pseudonym "Yummycub" to buy significant quantities of cocaine. Messages from March to May 2020 reportedly showed Bull inquiring about the purchase of kilograms (2.2 pounds) of cocaine for £38,000 each ($51,340). The prosecution argued that "Yummycub" revealed the location of his boxing gym, home address, and birthday — all of which matched Bull's — making it apparent that Bull was behind the "Yummycub" profile and therefore involved in the purchase of significant amounts of the Class A drug directly from importers. Bull pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. It was argued on his behalf that boxers he trained or managed at the time would sometimes stay at his house, so one of them could have been behind the "Yummycub" profile. Bull did not name any fighters he suspected, and there was no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of any boxer associated with Bull. Advertisement Bull's co-conspirator, Benjamin Williams, pleaded guilty to four criminal offenses in February, including three drug-related charges. Williams and Bull shared a friendship lasting several years and had agreed to get involved in the sale of cocaine together, the court heard. Large amounts of cocaine were present at Williams' property, and his fingerprints were on money belonging to Christopher and Jonathan McAllister — who Bull and Williams had conspired to purchase narcotics from. The Yorkshire boxing figure has been a notable absentee in the past year from the corner of three-division world champion Terri Harper, whom he trained and managed, among other fighters in his British stable. Bull holds licenses with the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) in his capacity as a promoter, manager and trainer. All three licenses will be reviewed by the BBBofC following the news of Bull's successful conviction.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Daily Record
Wishaw delivery driver made almost half a million pounds from illegal activities
Anthony Kelly, 38, made a total of £462,375 from his involvement in drug dealing in Lanarkshire between August 2018 and June 2020. A delivery driver serving time for organised crime offences made almost half a million pounds from illegal activities, a court has heard. Anthony Kelly, 38, made a total of £462,375 from his involvement in drug dealing in Lanarkshire between August 2018 and June 2020. However, the High Court in Edinburgh heard on Monday how Kelly, of Wishaw, only has £45,599.50 of the fortune available at this point in time. The news emerged at the conclusion of a proceeds of crime hearing brought against Kelly by prosecutors. Crown lawyers brought the action after Kelly was given a seven and a half year sentence following his guilty plea last year for a charge of involvement in serious organised crime. The High Court in Glasgow heard how Kelly was detained during a Police Scotland initiative called Operation Aversion. The court heard how detectives were able to link Kelly to the purchase of more than £400,000 of cocaine and cannabis. He also gave 'advice' to mob associates to avoid being caught for a raid on a man's house which saw his home and car 'wrecked'. Kelly's involvement in the gang was mainly uncovered via messages to other clan members on WhatsApp and the EncroChat phone network favoured by criminals before it was smashed by law authorities. In 2018, Kelly – known as 'Ants' – discussed a news report about Police Scotland investigating 3282 individuals involved in organised crime. He stated to an associate: 'Hope they give us a bit of credit and not put us at the bottom of the list.' Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said the WhatsApp chats made 'ongoing references' to the trafficking of cocaine, cannabis as well as ecstasy. In late 2018, Kelly became panicked when a gang member was caught by police with a class A drug haul. He described it as 'a f***ing mess'. Kelly's home in Wishaw was initially raided months later. Miss Dalziel said: 'A number of items were recovered including a selection of expensive jewellery, electronic devices and also cash.' However, no charges were brought at that time. Kelly remained part of the gang and continued to contact associates via EncroChat in 2020. Miss Dalziel continued: 'There were significant quantities of drugs and money changing hands.' The total amount of cocaine purchased by or on behalf of Kelly was more than £400,000 with cannabis valued at £14,700. The court also heard of a raid at the home of a man in Wishaw in May 2020. Masked gang members had yelled they were 'armed police' before bursting in. Miss Dalziel added: 'They gained entry through the front door, damaged property and threw petrol over the furniture. 'They damaged a motor vehicle outside using an axe.' The hearing was told Kelly did not take part in the attack itself. But, the prosecutor explained: 'He knew about it in advance and gave advice afterwards to those involved to avoid detection for their part in it.' One of the raiders told Kelly via EncroChat that they had 'wrecked the entire house', left the car a 'write off' and that the man who lived there was 'terrified'. Kelly was arrested in October 2021, but initially made no comment. Judge Andrew Miller jailed Kelly for seven and a half years at the High Court in Aberdeen. Passing sentence, judge Miller said: 'This is a very serious offence, particularly bearing in mind the damage which the supply of class A controlled drugs, and other criminal activities which are associated with the supply of controlled drugs, causes to individuals, families and communities.' On Monday, judge Lord Renucci made an order that forces Kelly to hand over £45,599.50 after a short hearing. The Crown can return to court to obtain more money if they identify more of Kelly's ill gotten gains.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Court hears how much Wishaw man made for involvement in drug dealing
Anthony Kelly,38, made a total of £462,375 from his involvement in drug dealing in Lanarkshire between August 2018 and June 2020. However, the High Court in Edinburgh heard on Monday how Kelly, of Wishaw, only has £45,599.50 of the fortune available at this point in time. The news emerged at the conclusion of a proceeds of crime hearing brought against Kelly by prosecutors. Crown lawyers brought the action after Kelly was given a seven and a half year sentence following his guilty plea last year for a charge of involvement in serious organised crime. The High Court in Glasgow heard how Kelly was detained during a Police Scotland initiative called Operation Aversion. The court heard how detectives were able to link Kelly to the purchase of more than £400,000 of cocaine and cannabis. He also gave 'advice' to mob associates to avoid being caught for a raid on a man's house which saw his home and car 'wrecked'. Kelly's involvement in the gang was mainly uncovered via messages to other clan members on WhatsApp and the EncroChat phone network favoured by criminals before it was smashed by law authorities. In 2018, Kelly – known as 'Ants' – discussed a news report about Police Scotland investigating 3282 individuals involved in organised crime. He stated to an associate: 'Hope they give us a bit of credit and not put us at the bottom of the list.' Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said the WhatsApp chats made 'ongoing references' to the trafficking of cocaine, cannabis as well as ecstasy. In late 2018, Kelly became panicked when a gang member was caught by police with a class A drug haul. He described it as 'a f***ing mess'. Kelly's home in Wishaw was initially raided months later. Miss Dalziel: 'A number of items were recovered including a selection of expensive jewellery, electronic devices and also cash.' However, no charges were brought at that time. Kelly remained part of the gang and continued to contact associates via EncroChat in 2020. Miss Dalziel: 'There were significant quantities of drugs and money changing hands.' The total amount of cocaine purchased by or on behalf of Kelly was more than £400,000 with cannabis valued at £14,700. The court also heard of a raid at the home of a man in Wishaw in May 2020. Masked gang members had yelled they were 'armed police' before bursting in. Miss Dalziel: 'They gained entry through the front door, damaged property and threw petrol over the furniture. 'They damaged a motor vehicle outside using an axe.' The hearing was told Kelly did not take part in the attack itself. But, the prosecutor explained: 'He knew about it in advance and gave advice afterwards to those involved to avoid detection for their part in it.' One of the raiders told Kelly via EncroChat that they had 'wrecked the entire house', left the car a 'write off' and that the man who lived there was 'terrified'. Kelly was arrested in October 2021, but initially made no comment. READ NEXT:Details emerge on case against man accused of Brodie MacGregor murder in Glasgow READ NEXT: Warrant out for man accused of trafficking a woman into Scotland for prostitution READ NEXT: Driver left eight teens 'scattered across a car park' after 'hit and run' court hears Judge Andrew Miller jailed Kelly for seven and a half years at the High Court in Aberdeen. Passing sentence, judge Miller said: 'This is a very serious offence, particularly bearing in mind the damage which the supply of class A controlled drugs, and other criminal activities which are associated with the supply of controlled drugs, causes to individuals, families and communities.' On Monday, judge Lord Renucci made an order that forces Kelly to hand over £45,599.50 after a short hearing. The Crown can return to court to obtain more money if they identify more of Kelly's ill gotten gains.
