Two EncroChat drug and firearms bosses jailed in Surrey and Hertfordshire

Raj Singh and Waqas Iqbal conspired to deal heroin, cocaine and guns via encrypted platform EncroChat. Singh got nearly nine years; Iqbal received 12.

EncroChat crime bosses sentenced after NCA Operation Venetic

Two organised crime bosses who used the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat to coordinate "multi-kilo" drug deals and firearms transactions in 2020 have been jailed, BBC News reports.

Waqas Iqbal, 41, of Hurst Drive, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, was sentenced to 12 years at Guildford Crown Court on Friday. Raj Singh, 45, of Charlock Way, Guildford, Surrey, received a term of eight years and ten months at an earlier hearing.

The pair ran an organised crime group and worked in concert to buy and sell Class A drugs and firearms. Investigators said they also planned to launder money and ship ketamine to Canada.

Iqbal admitted conspiracy to import 10kg of cocaine, conspiracy to transfer a prohibited weapon, and money laundering. Singh admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply ketamine, and money laundering — as well as a separate charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm upon a female police officer.

The two men operated under EncroChat handles: Singh used the alias Salmonagent and Iqbal went by Ghostshooter. Police obtained intercepted conversations and phone evidence in which both men discussed purchasing drugs and weapons.

EncroChat was penetrated in 2020 by the National Crime Agency (NCA), with messages intercepted and decoded as part of Operation Venetic — the UK's co-ordinated response to dismantling the network.

NCA operations manager Dean Wallbank said the pair had criminal connections across mainland Europe and beyond, despite operating primarily within the London area. "Like other high-end dealers, Iqbal and Singh are toxic and responsible for causing very serious levels of harm to society," Wallbank said. "They didn't care what bloodshed the guns and drugs led to, just as long as they made money."

Source: BBC News