Dealers used encrypted devices to move large amounts of drugs

Five people have been sentenced to a combined total of 60 years for their roles in supplying drugs across Greater Manchester.

Operation Lappet was initiated by Oldham’s Challenger Unit, which was an investigation looking into an Organised Crime Group (OCG) who were involved in the purchasing of multi-kilo amounts of kilo stamped blocks of cocaine, heroin and cannabis throughout the UK between March 2020 to June 2020.

All five people used the encrypted devices called Encrochat to communicate and organise the movements of large amounts of drugs. 

All were sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Court yesterday (Wednesday) for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Asad Zulfiqar (aged 38) was sentenced to 16 years

Riasat Ali (43) was sentenced to 14 years 6 months

Jake Burke (33) was sentenced to 13 years 3 months 

Urszula Kareme (45) was sentenced to 9 years

Patrick Barry (40) was sentenced to 8 years 

The OCG supplied multi kilos of class A drugs on a weekly basis.

They purchased kilos of cocaine for anywhere from £35,000-£40,000 per kilo.

The two defendants identified as leading role members of this organised crime group were Ali and Zulfiqar, who arranged and purchased multi kilos of cocaine and cannabis and on sporadic occasions, kilos of heroin.

Ali and Zulfiqar employed Kareme, paid her a wage and in exchange she collected and distributed extremely large quantities of cash and class A and B drugs on behalf of Ali and Zulfiqar using her car.

On June 24, 2020, police executed a warrant at the home address of Kareme and during the search approximately £50,000 was recovered in the address, the majority of which was in her washing machine.

Also recovered was a cash counting machine and various items consistent with the preparation of drugs, including scales and packaging.

Detective Constable Donna Youngjohns, of GMP’s Challenger team in Oldham, said: “The OCG sourced the drugs from all over the UK including Liverpool, Manchester, West Midlands and the South of England.

"In that short period from March 2020 until June 2020, it was apparent that Zulfiqar and Ali purchased in excess of 20kgs of cocaine and handled thousands of pounds in cash. 

“This OCG presumed their communications were safe by using an encrypted device, but thanks to our officers we were able to use their words against them.

“This was a very complex criminal network and both Zulfiqar and Ali were in contact with multiple users on the Encrochat system.

"Our investigation uncovered the involvement and lengths that all parties go to purchase, prepare and the onward sale of multi kilos of cocaine and cannabis.

“It is clear from the Encrochat that every time Kareme was sent somewhere to meet a customer, Ali or Zulfiqar would provide her with a password and postcode for the meet.

"The person she met would be provided with the same postcode and password, again by Ali or Zulfiqar.

“Kareme used her home address as a safe house to prepare kilos of cocaine down into more manageable sizes for onward sale.

"Burke also organised the purchase of kilo-sized blocks of cocaine, with Barry acting as a courier.

“These sentences today bring an end an investigation that has taken more than three years.

"I must thank our committed team of officers for their hard work in bringing these offenders to justice.”

Intelligence from members of the public plays an incredibly important role in GMP investigations.

If you have any concerns about suspicious activity in your community, please report it.

This helps police successfully shatter established criminal networks and deprive them of their assets.

Anyone with information or concerns should report to police online, if able, at: www.gmp.police.uk or via 101.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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