Merseyside drug dealer jailed for 12 years

Today (Friday 8 March) at Liverpool Crown Court, a Merseyside man has been jailed for Class A and B drug dealing as part of Operation Venetic.

Kane Omar, 28, from Hatton Hill Road, Litherland was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

Omar used the handle 'ShallowZoo' to facilitate the supply and distribution of cocaine, heroin, and cannabis throughout the North West whilst living in Spain.

Detective Inspector Kelly Wild from the NWROCU's Operations Team said:

"Today we've seen another person put behind bars as part of Operation Venetic - an international operation targeting criminals who used a mobile encryption device to try and evade detection.

"Omar mistakenly thought that by using Encrochat he could evade police but our successes as part of Op Venetic showhow wrong he was.

"The evidence we had against him was so overwhelming he had no choice but to plead guity. Messages on his encro phone proved that he had access to multi-kilos of cocaine, heroin, and cannabis as well as substantial amounts of cash. Operating his business from Spain, he used several trusted couriers and runners to transport drugs and cash.

"Our message to anyone involved in the illegal supply of drugs is simple; we will continue to relentlessly pursue you and we will do everything in our power to bring you to justice.” Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.