A criminal boasted he had connections in South America to import 50 kilos of cocaine a week to supply big UK cities, including Manchester.
But he was trapped when police cracked a secret communications system.
Erion Nakdi, 38, from Surbiton, Surrey, was arrested while travelling to Luton Airport by officers from the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police Service in November 2020.
When arrested £5,000 was found in suitcase, plus another £5,000 in cash at his home.
Messages obtained as part of Operation Venetic – the UK police's response to the cracking of EncroChat – revealed how Nakdi used the encrypted messaging platform to supply of Class A drugs.
Expensive EncroChat mobile phones, dubbed 'WhatsApp for criminals' was smashed in 2020 when the server in France was hacked.
Using the handle ‘Taboocrow’, Nakdi exchanged over 4,000 messages detailing his plans to supply locations across the UK – including London, Kent, Norwich, Manchester and Liverpool.
The NCA says he stated that he had contacts in South America, and claimed he was able to bring over 50 kilos of cocaine in a week.
On one occasion Nakdi said he managed to sell ‘4 pieces for £35, 000’ – four pieces being equivalent to four kilos.
The messages showed his leading role in the criminal network, with multiple runners and drivers who would collect and drop off drugs and cash. In other instances, he would arrange to buy drugs from one organised crime group and sell onto another for profit.
Today [18 February] at Luton Crown Court, Nakdi was given a 16 years prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine), possessing criminal property and money laundering offences.
OCP Operations Manager, Andrew Tickner said: “Nakdi played the role of a broker, acting as a middle man in various drug deals. He failed in his attempt to conceal his criminal activity by using an encrypted phone.
“He sought to make profit and supply multiple regions in the UK without considering the violence and exploitation Class A drugs cause.
“I hope his lengthy sentence will serve as a reminder to those involved in the drugs trade that we’re committed to disrupting the supply chain at all levels.”
