Nabeel Rasheed, a drug dealer from Southbank Road in Bury, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating a million-pound Class A drug trafficking ring in Oldham. Rasheed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, as well as money laundering charges.
The breakthrough in Rasheed’s case came through the use of encrypted mobile phones. These devices had previously made it difficult for law enforcement to gather evidence. However, Operation Venetic, the UK’s largest organised crime crackdown led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), successfully hacked into the Encrochat system used by criminals for secret communication.
This technological success exposed Rasheed’s messages, revealing his alias ‘LIMITEDTURTLE’ and his coordination of drug deals with other members of the crime group.
Between April and June 2020, Rasheed was involved in moving at least 15 kilograms of cocaine and 9.5 kilograms of heroin, breaking these into smaller quantities sold across Bradford, Liverpool, and other locations.
On 16 July 2021, police observed Rasheed carrying two bin liners and a bag into his home. A search of his bedroom uncovered over 14 kilograms of cocaine and packaging materials indicating that more than 100 kilograms had been processed. The wholesale value of the seized cocaine alone was approximately £529,000, with a street value estimated at up to £3.6 million.
Detective Constable Marc Walby of the Greater Manchester Police Serious and Organised Crime Group commented, “This gang thought these encrypted devices would keep them safe. Instead, they handed us a treasure trove of evidence. We’ve taken these criminals off our streets and shown our commitment to wiping out drugs in our communities.”
He added, “Our detailed work with partner agencies pieced together Rasheed’s drug empire and secured his conviction. The sheer scale of drugs seized is massive. Removing Rasheed and his associates will make a real difference across Oldham and the Northwest.”
Earlier in 2024, gang leader Faizal Hussain and associate Rezwan Javed were sentenced to a combined total of 24 years for similar drug and money laundering offences linked to this network.
Originally published by UKNIP.
