A self-employed window cleaner made £1m through his role as a trusted member in an EncroChat drugs gang.
Simon Roberts handled cash and cocaine for his associates while operating under the codenames of FanaticFirm and MajorFox.
A court today heard details of how he benefited from his illicit exploits - antics he said were inspired by financial panic sparked by the first Coronavirus lockdown.
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Roberts ran a struggling window cleaning business from his Wirral home but, Liverpool Crown Court was told, “the lockdown had finished it off”.
Peter Wilson, defending the 57-year-old when he was jailed in October, said: “There was a panic and need for money. He was supporting his elderly mum, who has Alzheimer's.
“He is remorseful for his actions and regrets what he has done and the impact it has had on his family.”
In turning to the underworld, Roberts became a key cog in a gang’s cocaine and heroin business.
Messages attributed to him after the hack of EncroChat, a communications network said by police to have been beloved by gangland, linked him to 11kg of cocaine, worth £385,000, and 3kg of heroin worth £54,000.
On one occasion he was entrusted with 8kg of cocaine and £485,000 in cash.
Simon Christie, prosecuting, said this showed he was clearly a "hugely well-regarded" member of the drugs conspiracy.
Mr Christie added: "He was evidently very well trusted given the amount of access and control he was given over drugs and the very large sums of money involved.
"This was a very well organised commercial enterprise in respect of both money and drugs."
Roberts, of Circular Drive, Greasby , was sentenced to 10 years and six months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin.
His case returned to court today for a hearing focused on his earnings and restrictions on his lifestyle when he is released from jail.
Roberts watched from a videolink to Walton prison as Mr Christie told the court a financial investigation had concluded he had made just over £1m - £1,010,200 - from his crimes.
Further work had established just £17,791.36 was recoverable by police.
This was already in the hands of the authorities after Roberts’ BMW Four series was seized and sold.
Judge Garrett Byrne made a confiscation order for that amount under Proceeds of Crime legislation.
He also granted an application for a Serious Crime Prevention Order that will mean elements of his lifestyle, including his finances, are monitored by police for five years following his release.
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