A well known Liverpool businessman discussed how to launder drug money with his younger brother.
Martin Grant 33, and his brother Liam used the EncroChat phone network to supply drugs. Martin Grant was a significant player in Class A drugs while his younger brother Liam was a 'cannabis wholesaler.'
Martin Grant is a former managing director of Liverpool-based health and safety company Safety Support Consultants Limited (SSC). Grant, originally from the Old Swan area, joined the company in September 2019 and resigned in January 2020.
READ MORE: Company boss who ran cocaine racket sent Encro pic of his son in Colombian 'Cali' kit
There is no suggestion his crimes were in any way linked to his role at SSC. Grant began using the Encro handle SwiftOrchid shortly after his release from prison on licence in September 2019.
Grant, a dad-of-two, had been jailed for ten years in 2015 for slashing a man across the face with a knife. The victim suffered life changing injuries.
Today Liverpool Crown Court heard how Martin Grant discussed all aspects of the drug trade on the Encro network, including money laundering. Ben Jones, prosecuting, told the court how Martin Grant discussed laundering drug money with his brother.
Mr Jones said Martin Grant considered buying their mum's house so they could launder their profits from the cannabis trade. Mr Jones said Martin Grant appeared to be distributing drugs to the midlands, Lancashire and Carlisle.
In one cocaine transaction Martin Grant made a £12,000 profit. Mr Jones said Grant was dealing with individuals who were importing high quality Cocaine from Colombia and Bolivia.
Mr Jones said that Grant had previous convictions for vehicle taking, blackmail, handling stolen goods, section 18 wounding and possession of an offensive weapon.
Martin Grant had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, conspiracy to supply amphetamine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Judge Denis Watson described Grant as a "broker for wholesale drugs" and linked him to 9.5kg of cocaine, 5kg of heroin, 30kg of amphetamine and six kilos of cannabis.
Judge Watson said Grant was on licence when he became involved in the drug trade. He jailed the Old Swan man for 14 years and six months.
Last week his brother Liam was jailed for four years and six months. Liam Grant, of Holland Street in Fairfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply amphetamine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
