An EncroChat drug trafficker arrested at Manchester Airport had a haul of boxing memorabilia including shorts signed by Frank Bruno and a belt signed by Tyson Fury seized by police.
Liam Freaney, 36, was detained on Tuesday, August 9 after returning to the UK from Tenerife following a Merseyside Police investigation into data obtained in the EncroChat encrypted phone hack. Officers also raided a house in Birkenhead where three swords, a knuckle duster and cannabis was seized.
A number of items were confiscated, under the Proceeds of Crime Act, from a house in Deepdale Close, Birkenhead. As well as the signed souvenirs, these included framed Muhammed Ali boxing gloves, five pairs of designer trainers, a white metal bracelet and two electric bikes.
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Freaney, of Hoylake Road in Bidston, today appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link, where he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis as well as conspiracy to possess a firearm, namely a Grand Power pistol. The conspiracies all took place between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020.
Tim Forte, KC, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned to allow a vast range of EncroChat messages to be examined by defence experts. The court heard this process would determine whether Freaney wished to challenge the amount of drugs he is accused of plotting to supply by the Crown, which the court heard amounted to around 27kgs in total.
Mr Forte said his client may wish to challenge that figure in a Newton Hearing, a form of mini trial where a judge decides on disputed facts that may affect the length of sentence in a case, after the defendant has pleaded guilty.
Judge Gary Woodhall agreed to allow the defence time to analyse the EncroChat messages and adjourned the case until February 10.
He said Freaney would be aware he is facing a "lengthy custodial sentence" and remanded him in custody.
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