A drug courier was caught after fingerprint evidence was lifted from his photos.
Jan Luke Carmichael, 34, of Knowsley Lane, Huyton, was identified by detectives as using the EncroChat handle 'Lemonlager' after sending selfies and images of his own hands from which fingerprint evidence was obtained. He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (March 23) after admitting conspiring to possess a firearm without a certificate, conspiring to supply Class A drugs cocaine and heroin), and conspiring to supply Class B drugs cannabis and ketamine.
Evidence showed that Carmichael worked mainly as a courier but also dealt drugs himself. He would routinely move multi-kilo quantities of Class A and B drugs, storing imported contraband and then distributing it to customers as required.
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He operated throughout Merseyside, collecting huge sums of cash and chasing drugs debts.
In total, Merseyside Police's Operation Aquarium showed Carmichael conspiring to supply 14kg of cocaine, 6kg of heroin and 145kg of cannabis. Carmichael was actively trying to secure an AR15, a fully automatic assault rifle, for onward sale.
The 34-year-old was sentenced to seven years for drug supply offences, five and a half years for conspiring to possess a firearm for sale or transfer. The sentences will run consecutively for a total of 12 and a half years.
Detective Constable Kevin Mitchell said: "Carmichael is just the latest person to be brought to justice for their involvement in the widescale peddling of drugs on the streets of Merseyside.
"What is even more concerning is that he was also convicted of conspiring to possess a fully automatic assault rifle – which we believe he intended to sell on - and clearly had no consideration for whose hands this potentially deadly weapon may end up in or for what purpose it may be used for.
"These people think they are above the law and can continue to ply their illicit trade and profit from their crimes without any repercussions.
"I am pleased that thanks to the diligence of our officers who carried out a detailed and thorough investigation we managed to secure enough evidence to put him behind bars for a number of years.
"Our work will go on to target other people involved in this type of criminality.
"I would ask our communities to continue to support us in our efforts to get these people off our streets and behind bars where they belong and encourage anyone who has any information about drug dealing or who is storing or using weapons in their communities to contact us so that we can take positive action.”
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