A Wythenshawe man and his little brother have both been jailed after their £100,000 drugs racket was brought down. Owen Trainor played a 'leading role' in the supply of cocaine and employed his little brother, Niall, as a ‘trusted’ drugs delivery driver.
The court heard how Owen, 41, used his younger brother Niall, 32, as a ‘courier’ which saw him handle large amounts of money and cocaine to supply to other drug dealers.
Manchester Crown Court heard how the case was ‘very much focused around evidence’ collected from the encrypted messaging tool, Encrochat, between between December 2019 and July 2020. The court heard how ring leader, Owen, used Encrochat to speak to his suppliers who had nicknames such as ‘Sicario’, ‘Axelrod’ and ‘Hedge Racer’.
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Prosecuting barrister, Harriet Lavin, told the court how Owen was part of a messaging group with other drug dealers which would some time result in ‘three way’ calls. The court heard Owen would take direction from the leader of the Encrochat group, who was in charge of the 'purchase and sale' of the cocaine, but was also buying his own drugs for ‘profit’.
Niall, who is the youngest brother of Owen, was described as playing a 'significant' role in the organisation and was directed by Owen to deliver the drugs and money to other dealers. Niall, of Tuffley Road in Wythenshawe, was described as a ‘trusted courier for his brother’s business’ and the court heard how he was referred to as ‘our kid’ as a codename by his older brother, who would set up meetings and collections through Encrochat.
During the hearing, it was explained how Owen would contact his suppliers through Encrochat but Niall would use WhatsApp as his main source of communication. The court heard how Niall, who was judged to have handled 4.5 kilos of cocaine in his brother's operation, was once paid £150 for the delivery of drugs on three separate occasions.
He was arrested on June 10 2020 when police found him with items including 1.5 kilos of cocaine, scales and a number of mobile phones at his father’s home.
Owen, of Poynings Drive, Wythenshawe, was described as a ‘family man’ by defending barrister, Richard Kearney. The court heard how while in custody he had taken an awareness course about the impact of drug dealing.
Niall was described as a ‘hard working’ father of two by his defending barrister, Richard English. Mr English told the court how Niall, who was also a Yodel delivery driver, was ‘desperate’ to return to his children, one of whom had recently been diagnosed with autism.
Both men, who have been in custody for around two years awaiting sentencing, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy to supply class A drugs in cocaine and conspiracy to conceal or transfer criminal property, which is commonly known as money laundering.
Judge Nicholas Dean KC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester sentenced Niall Trainor to six years and four months in jail, of which he will do half and be released on licence. Owen Trainor was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison.
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