Two drug dealers have been handed jail sentences after detectives unravelled a conspiracy to supply bulk quantities of cocaine and trade lethal firearms.
A police investigation into Liam Mosley and Razwan Hussain revealed the pair were enjoying lavish lifestyles funded by selling Class A drugs.
Mosley was discovered to be using the EncroChat messaging system freely – believing the encrypted technology made him secure.
However, officers were able to analyse his role in drug deals and how the 29-year-old also made arrangements to sell an assault rifle and made other attempts to broker deals for weapons.
As the investigation spiralled, detectives also made use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) records and mobile phone data to link both men to a sophisticated conspiracy.
Deals worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and involving multiple kilos of cocaine were openly discussed by Mosley.
Hussain, aged 31, worked for Mosley and travelled to cities including Leeds and Bradford to collect the drugs – including a 10kg package of cocaine on one occasion.
Mosley was handed a jail sentence of 21 years in his absence at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (10 October).
He had earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, one count of offering to supply Class A drugs, and one count of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.
Mosley denied conspiring to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life but was found guilty following a trial.
Mosley absconded to Dubai prior to the trial and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Hussain was jailed for eight years and four months after being convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs and acquiring criminal property.
Detectives were able to prove the pair’s involvement in the supply of drugs between March and June 2020.
Mosley was found to be using the encrypted phone network accessed through adapted Android phones.
Screenshot images of spreadsheets sent as messages revealed the sophisticated nature of the conspiracy as well as the large sums involved.
Mosley and Hussain’s mobile phones were found to be in the exact locations of devices using the encrypted network and vehicles linked to the conspiracy on multiple occasions in the spring and early summer of 2020.
Further evidence was uncovered when Hussain was arrested by police on 21 June 2020 after officers intercepted him making a drug deal in Reigate Street, Basford.
He tried to run from the scene but was arrested and found to be in possession of more than £29,000 in cash and drugs.
Police carried out coordinated raids on addresses linked to the two men on 26 October 2020 and they were both arrested.
Officers also found further evidence of drug dealing and seized luxury goods including designer trainers from a home linked to Mosley in St Ann’s.
Detective Sergeant Emma Pollard, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“The hefty sentences handed down to Mosley and Hussain send a clear message to other organised criminals operating in the area and causing misery within our communities.
“Detectives worked meticulously with other agencies to piece together a timeline of their actions in order to bring about this result.
“The quantities of drugs Mosley was supplying were substantial. The fact that he also conspired to trade firearms shows his complete disregard for public safety.
“Mosley absconded to Dubai before his trial and did not attend court for sentencing. We are making every effort to ensure his return and urgent conversations have been held with the National Crime Agency to arrange his extradition.
“Criminal gangs like this one thought they were able to avoid detection by using encrypted devices, but they instead presented police with a treasure trove of evidence.
“Their conspiracy showed a level of sophistication and they were clearly making huge profits through their criminal enterprise.
“We continue to work relentlessly to crack down on weapon-enabled and drug-related crime and to reduce the availability of firearms and drugs in our neighbourhoods.”