An armed robber who boasted of "mint wages" from the heroin and guns trade was caught out by the EncroChat hack.
Salford based career criminal Arron Corkovic forged links with Merseyside organised crime groups and spoke of wanting to set up a street dealing ring in Warrington. The 35-year-old was previously jailed in 2013 for his part in a violent robbery on a Morrison's supermarket in Whitefield, Bury, but was released after eight years and bound by strict conditions through a Serious Crime Prevention Order, reports the MEN.
Within a year of his release he was brokering heroin and firearms deals over the encrypted EncroChat phone network, Manchester Crown Court heard. According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Corkovic "ingratiated himself in the world of serious organised crime, connecting with a network of criminals across Salford, Manchester, Merseyside and Dubai".
READ MORE: WhatsApp scam fraudster arrested after car crash in Marbella
Laura Barbour, prosecuting, said Corkovic, used the EncroChat handle ‘Stealthy’ to send messages to various criminals about supplying a kilo of heroin as well as supplying firearms and ammunition. Corkovic was sentenced this week after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence (namely to transfer a firearm).
The court heard that messages were recovered between March and June 2020, during which Corkovic talked to others about his direct access to drugs in the Netherlands and Spain.
Using both Encrochat and Wickr, he discussed the sale of significant quantities of heroin and firearms for onward sale. One message said: “I can get a taster of that nasty (heroin) to pass out to a few kids before the restrictions kick in”. Messages indicated he could source heroin for £17k per kilo, and he added: “Like you said, part of the fun, whats money really worth, f*** it fun and games.”
Speaking to an EncroChat user called MaseratiRick, he said: “Yeah man, told this kid 18k, see what he says.” And to another user he said: “Mint wages at the min” in reference to the sale of drugs.
There were also messages discussing transport, location drop offs and codewords for those collecting the cash and drugs, Ms Barbour said. She said Corkovic was also looking to create his own street supply in Warrington.
The court also heard of a number of messages between Corkovic and the EncroChat handle ‘AssassinsCreed’, which was being used by Umair Zaheer. Zaheer provided an advert for a number of firearms and a large amount of ammunition which was intended to cause "maximum harm". Corkovic began acting as a ‘broker’ and attempted to find a buyer for some of the guns.
Messages showed he was aware of how a transaction would take place, he discussed the prospect of "metal" (firearms) with potential buyers and suggested various prices. Prosecutors said he was acting as the go-between.
“In one message exchange, he said he bought a Grand Power automatic for £8,000 which he said he could "make into a machine". And in another message he said he was asking £10,000 for a Scorpion machine gun,” Ms Barbour said.
Throughout the exchange Corkovic kept Zaheer updated on various buyers for the firearms and they also discussed selling to a "Jock group". The messages demonstrated the defendants ongoing interest and role in the transaction of firearms and drug dealing,” the prosecutor added.
He was eventually arrested at a hotel on October 24, 2021, and gave a prepared statement in which he denied both offences. Corkovic was said to have previous convictions for serious offending, including a robbery and blackmail for which he was jailed for 13 years.
Oliver Cook, defending, told the court: “By way of his plea, he was involved as a transactor which amounted to one kilo of heroin and he was paid £1,500. This defendant’s role in that conspiracy is limited to that transaction and limited to that profit. He acted as a broker between two parties.
"He was never in possession of a firearm himself. He doesn’t shy away from being a career criminal. He now has a child. His partner was heavily pregnant at the time of these offences."
Sentencing, the Recorder of Manchester, Judge Nicholas Dean, KC, said: “It’s perfectly fair to say you have been a career criminal. You were brokering the sale of heroin and assisting in the transfer of a prohibited weapon. This was facilitated by the use of an Encrochat phone.
“You have been a career criminal and your personal mitigation has no significant consequence. You will appreciate that sentences will only get longer and longer.”
Corkovic, of Dixon Avenue in Salford, was jailed for 13 years.
Detective Constable Steven Walker, of GMP’s Organised Crime Unit, said: “Despite spending the best part of his twenties in prison, Corkovic has demonstrated his intention to continue where he left off in what he anticipated would be a lucrative alternative to being a law-abiding citizen.
“Even after being given the benefit of an early release under licence conditions, he immediately became involved once again in the most serious of crimes that cause the most harm to our communities – selling heroin, firearms and ammunition.
“Having enjoyed a short period of freedom, he is now paying the price for his decision."
READ NEXT:
Man scarred for life after being slashed by nephew at family party
Face of man jailed for 20 years after raping woman
Burglar who targeted Raheem Sterling's mansion has home taken away
'Bullet Hawk' rants at judge as he's jailed for nearly 15 years
Woman shot in stomach by police during standoff has knife charge shelved
