A major player in a notorious criminal gang supplying heroin, cocaine, and guns across Greater Manchester and the North West has been jailed after he was found with a Kinder Egg stashed with drugs inside.
The organised crime gang, who were based in Cheetham Hill, trafficked firearms and 'wholesale amounts' of heroin and cocaine throughout the UK.
Their complex operation was only unearthed when Encrochat, a popular encrypted communication and service provider used by high-profile criminals, was infiltrated by police in 2020.
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In March 2020, during the beginning of the UK's coronavirus lockdown, Blake, along with co-defendant Mohammed Shahid, helped arrange for a courier to deliver six firearms and 180 rounds of ammunition to Luton.
But the gang's activities were rumbled when police hacked the EncroChat encrypted messaging service, a secretive phone network favoured by organised crime, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Blake used the EncroChat handle 'Lemursea', prosecutor Jamie Baxter said, and over an eight month period from March to December 2020 sent dozens of messages discussing the trafficking of heroin, cocaine and guns. Several EncroChat conversations between Blake, his co-accused Shahid, who went by 'Driphard', and an unidentified figure known only by the handle 'Mocky' indicated the various drops and collections of cash and drugs.
“In one exchange, six firearms were transferred to Luton. There was also an ongoing local operation in the Cheetham Hill area,” Mr Baxter said.
“It’s clear from the messages that the conspiracy was very well established by March 2020.”
The conversations between Blake and others showed them discussing the ongoing supply of cocaine and somebody getting ‘whacked’ for £10,000.
On March 30 the delivery of a firearm to Bolton for a fee of £500 was discussed alongside a password which would be given at the handover. The daily discussions of the ongoing drugs supply continued, as well as the difficulty of acquiring drugs at the beginning of the pandemic.
The second firearm exchange took place on April 2 in which Blake arranged for a ‘strap’ to be collected. Co-defendant Ali Hamza was to collect the particular weapon.
Blake’s girlfriend, Holly Caldwell, also became involved in the enterprise, driving a haul of the weapons to Luton.
Following the interception of Encrochat, police were able to track down the group and carried out a series of arrests and warrants.
At two properties in Cheetham Hill, police discovered over £38,000 of cash, a loaded firearm, and over 260 wraps of class A drugs. Officers also discovered drug paraphernalia consistent with a large-scale drug operation, including unused snap bags, tin foil, and scales bearing residues identified as cocaine and cannabis.
The court heard that Blake had also been involved in supplying heroin and cannabis in the Crumpsall area in 2019.
On December 10 last year, Blake and Caldwell were arrested and a search of their vehicle recovered three mobile phones, £295, and a kinder egg which was concealing wraps of crack cocaine and heroin. Officers also found £660 in counterfeit cash and evidence of money laundering.
In December 2020, officers arrested Shahid at his home address. A subsequent search revealed more drugs paraphernalia and eight mobile phones.
Then in January 2021, officers arrested Ali Hamza at his home address. Found in a bedroom drawer was almost £17,000 cash. Officers also discovered a number of phones, sim cards and receipts detailing money transfers of over £7000 to an account in Pakistan.
At Manchester Crown Court on Friday (April 21), Tareanio Blake, 31, of Peakdale Avenue, Crumpsall, was jailed for 19 years for his involvement in the gang. He was found guilty of conspiracy to sell/transfer prohibited weapons, conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Mitigating for Blake, Tim Forte said: “From 2019 he was doing low level street dealing. He was a young man who grew up and made a very stupid decision. He can’t do anything else but reflect.
“He finds himself in a difficult situation.”
Jailing Blake for 19 years, Judge Patrick Field KC said: “You were both leading lights. It’s clear from the exchange in the messages that you regarded this business as a means to set you and others up for the rest of your life.
“You played a leading role.”
Blake, of Peakdale Avenue, Crumpsall was previously found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and one count conspiring to sell or transfer firearms. He also pleaded guilty to a separate offence of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
His appearance in court follows the sentencing of three other members of the group last year.
Mohammed Shahid, 31, of Wilton Road, Crumpsall, was previously jailed for 12 years and nine months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to sell/transfer firearms, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to supply heroin. He was previously described in court as a 'key facilitator' in the Cheetham Hill-based gang, which distributed 'wholesale amounts' of heroin and cocaine.
Ali Hamza, 24, of Whiston Road, Crumpsall, was jailed for nine years for both a conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin and for possession of two prohibited weapons. Holly Caldwell, 28, of King Edward Road, St Helens, was jailed for 7 years after pleading guilty to possession of six prohibited weapons and conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin.
The gang’s use of encrypted mobile phones was dismantled following an investigation by the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Operation Venetic, the UK’s largest operation to fight organised crime.
Det Insp Roger Smethurst, of GMP’s Serious Organised Crime Group, said: “This type of organised criminality will not be tolerated in our communities, and we are determined to continue to send a strong message to those involved in this incredibly dangerous and damaging trade that we will continue to pursue you and bring you to justice.
“The severity of these offences should not be underestimated, and the quantities of drugs and weapons we are talking about here are beyond substantial. The removal of these individuals will have a discernible difference on the streets of Greater Manchester.
“Intelligence from members of the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I would encourage anyone with concerns to report any suspicious activity. This helps us successfully shatter established criminal networks and deprive them of their assets.”
Anyone with information or concerns should report to police online 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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