Aigburth man jailed after accidentally picturing his own fingerprints while holding drugs
Martin Lamb has been sentenced to 10 years
An Aigburth man has been jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Martin Lamb, 34, of Ibbotson Lane, Aigburth was sentenced this afternoon (Tuesday 7 February) at Liverpool Crown Court, following an investigation as part of Operation Venetic, the ongoing investigation relating to the use of 'Encrochat' devices.
An international team of detectives infiltrated the encrypted messaging app used by criminal gangs back in 2019, and have since charged hundreds of perpetrators with drug and weapons offences.
In this case, Lamb pleaded guilty to conspiracy to suppling cocaine; heroin; and cannabis; as well as money laundering offences.
Lamb used the handle 'maskedswan' and, during the investigation, gave one contact his postcode, which detectives traced back to his luxury gated apartment block on the edge of Sefton Park.
He also revealed images of items inside his apartment, which were confirmed on 9 February 2022, when a search was carried out.
Lamb was also matched via fingerprints to an image in which he was holding cannabis.
He operated in Liverpool, Manchester, Doncaster and London and had established a thriving drug-trafficking business in which he received discounts given the size of his purchases.
Henry Riding, prosecuting, said that Lamb had links to drugs suppliers abroad and could reserve whole loads for his customers and used cars with secret compartments.
He was a DJ working here and abroad in nightclubs and bars and developed a cocaine habit and got in over his head, said defence lawyer, Paul Becker.
Detective Inspector Peter McCullough said:
"Lamb joins the lengthening list of criminals put behind bars as part of this international operation, and there will be more to come. He conspired to supply multi-kilo amounts of drugs, which spread misery amongst our communities, and increase the risk of serious, violent crime and other associated harm. Lamb also left a trail of evidence which we followed to his door.
“Lamb was generating vast profits, with no regard to the damage being caused. Our work to track these criminals down and bring down serious and organised criminal groups continues on a daily basis."