A criminal mastermind behind a huge nationwide drugs and firearms ring has been hit with a £350,000 bill to claw back his illegal profits. The court ruled the payout under the Proceeds of Crime Act, striking a blow against organised crime.
EncroChat Kingpin Jailed for 25 Years
Umair Zaheer, 37, from Somerset Road, Eccles, is serving a hefty 25-year sentence after being convicted in 2022 for masterminding a major crime empire. His operation was smashed by Greater Manchester Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA) following a breakthrough in intercepted messages on the infamous EncroChat encrypted phone network.
EncroChat was the go-to secure messaging system for ruthless organised crime gangs until it was cracked by European law enforcement in 2020. This move exposed a wave of illegal drug deals and firearm sales across the UK and Europe.
Zaheer was arrested in October 2020 after detectives traced his high-level dealings through the secure network. Evidence linked him to large-scale drug trafficking and the sale of illegal firearms, including AK-style rifles and handguns.
£350,000 Confiscation Order Issued
At Manchester Crown Court, judges demanded Zaheer repay £350,000 or face even more jail time.
“This confiscation order is a clear reminder that we will not allow criminals to benefit from their crimes,” said an NCA spokesperson. “This case also highlights the importance of intelligence-led policing and international cooperation to bring serious offenders to justice.”
A financial probe revealed Zaheer amassed substantial wealth through his illegal trade. Failure to pay up could see him slapped with an extended prison term and further asset seizures.
Operation Venetic Targets Organised Crime
Zaheer’s 2022 sentencing was part of Operation Venetic, the UK’s crackdown after the EncroChat hack. Three other men also received long sentences for their roles in supplying Class A drugs and firearms across England.
This case shines a spotlight on the tireless work of police and the NCA in dismantling dangerous criminal networks and recovering the proceeds of crime.
