Harwich man part of group jailed for combined 110 years for money laundering and drug dealing
They were caught stealing £24 million and supplying a tonne of cocaine
Eight people have been jailed for money laundering and drug dealing - including a man from Harwich.
They supplied a tonne of cocaine and stole £24 million in total.
The group have been handed a total of more than 110 years in prison between them.
Following an extensive investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), they were sentenced today (23/12) at Aylesbury Crown Court, sitting at Amersham.
Iain Harper, aged 33, of Jubilee Close in Harwich, was sentenced to 15 years and nine months’ imprisonment. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply a Class A drug – cocaine, conspiring to supply a Class A drug – MDMA and conspiracy to possess criminal property at a hearing on 1 June this year.
Sandeep Rao, aged 47, of Queen Street, Maidenhead, was sentenced to 24 years and two months’ imprisonment and was given a serious crime prevention order. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply a Class A drug – cocaine, and conspiracy to possess criminal property at a previous court hearing on 8 February this year.
Shahzad Hussain, aged 50, of Laburnum Road, High Wycombe, was sentenced to 23 years and seven months’ imprisonment and was given a serious crime prevention order. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply a Class A drug – cocaine, conspiring to supply a Class A drug – heroin, and conspiracy to possess criminal property at a court hearing on 12 May this year.
Edwin Kapoor, aged 48, of Maypole Court, Merrick Road, Southall, Ealing, was sentenced to 18 years and 11 months’ imprisonment and was given a serious crime prevention order. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply a Class A drug – cocaine, conspiring to supply a Class A drug – heroin, and conspiracy to possess criminal property at a hearing on 9 April last year.
Hardev Thind, aged 44, of Heston Avenue, Hounslow, was sentenced to 14 years and two months’ imprisonment. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply a Class A drug – cocaine, conspiring to supply a Class A drug – MDMA, conspiring to supply a Class A drug – heroin and conspiracy to possess criminal property at a court hearing on 3 June last year.
Raj Seechurn, aged 41, of Wellesbourne Crescent, High Wycombe, was sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment to run consecutively to the six years and six month prison sentence already imposed as part of this investigation. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply a Class A drug – cocaine at a hearing on 3 June 2021.
Azher Hussain, aged 53, of The Parsons, High Wycombe, was sentenced to four years and one month imprisonment. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess criminal property at a hearing on 22 April this year.
Angela Harvey, aged 39, of Gomm Place, High Wycombe, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years along with 120 hours community service and given a 15 month driving disqualification. She previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess criminal property at a hearing on 25 April this year.
The court heard the group used an encrypted communications platform to organise and facilitate the supply of 1000 kilos of cocaine, 50 kilos of heroin and laundering of £24m of criminal proceeds between January and September 2020.
Specialist officers from SEROCU began investigating in April 2020 after the encrypted EncroChat platform was taken down as part of a huge international law enforcement operation. Data from the network, which was used by criminals worldwide to candidly discuss the illegal exploits, revealed the sheer scale of the group’s criminality.
Investigating officer DC Dale Lester, of SEROCU, said: “This organised crime group operated at the highest level – with members involved in the supply of vast quantities of Class A drugs across the United Kingdom.
“While many members of the group used encrypted devices to arrange their criminal exploits, believing they would not be detected, their plans to profit from others’ misery were halted by police.
“The impact of their crime’s filters through communities up and down the country as we know the devastating impact and widespread harm of drug use and addiction can have on people. Put simply, the actions of those who supply drugs, destroys many lives.
“I’d like to thank my colleagues, CPS and prosecuting counsel for their commitment to this lengthy and complex investigation and I hope that today’s sentences are a reflection of SEROCU’s dedication in tackling and dismantling Organised Crime.”
Detective Chief Inspector Michael Hall, Head of Investigations for SEROCU, said: “The scale of the operation which led to these convictions was truly complex and demanding. Our team worked tirelessly to bring these offenders to justice, working closely with colleagues across the criminal justice system including the Crown Prosecution Service.
“SEROCU will always seek to tackle the highest harm offenders who cause misery in our communities. The sentencing reflects the gravity of the offenders’ role in this case, and, let there be no doubt, others who engage in organised criminality will be relentlessly pursued.
“Finally, I wish to thank all my team, and our partners who built a strong prosecution case, showing dedication and professionalism throughout. Our officers often work in the shadows but, once again, this result demonstrates our commitment to tackling and disrupting organised crime.”