Guns, Grit and a Foiled Revenge Plot: Salford’s Underworld Busted
Survivors Plot Deadly Payback
In April 2020, Brandon Moore and Jordan Waring, both 24, survived a brutal shooting in Kersal, Salford. Instead of laying low, the pair plotted a deadly revenge attack with accomplice Umair Zaheer, 34. Zaheer, alias ‘Assassin’s Creed’ on the encrypted EncroChat, urged them: “Get a location for the target and we will end it.” Texts from their shared phone screamed, “Oh yes he’s a dead man.”
Encrypted Messages Uncover Lethal Arsenal
The National Crime Agency (NCA) cracked the EncroChat encryption early 2020, exposing a fireworks display of firearms trafficking and a planned revenge shooting. Zaheer was caught selling a deadly collection — AK47s, Skorpions, Uzis and more — to Bilal Khan, aka ‘Legend Killer’. The sinister deal wasn’t just talk: an AK47 changed hands for £10,500 in Warrington, while machine guns and revolvers worth £37,000 were shipped on a bicycle courier destined for London.
Gun Runters and Couriers Caught Red-Handed
- Robert Brazendale, the quartermaster and courier, was caught twice on the firearms run. He fled to Spain but was caught and handed over to UK cops in October 2020.
- Bilal Khan and Hitesh Patel, key players in the deadly sales, were arrested after arms were recovered from safe houses in London and Wigan, including a silencer and soft-nosed bullets designed to maim.
- Zaheer made a run for it but was grabbed after ditching his phone in a failed escape attempt.
Justice Served – Decades Behind Bars
All the men pled guilty, facing charges linked to firearms trafficking, drug offences, and conspiracy to murder. Sentences handed down at Manchester Crown Court:
- Umair Zaheer – 25 years
- Bilal Khan – 10 years 8 months
- Robert Brazendale – 11 years 3 months
- Brandon Moore – 11 years 5 months
- Jordan Waring – 8 years 7 months
- Hitesh Patel – 7 years 5 months
- Louis Coleman – 6 years 9 months
Neil Gardner, NCA operations manager, said: “The weapons we took off the street were some of the most lethal around. By seizing these guns capable of firing multiple rounds per second, we have saved lives and protected the public.”
Detective Constable Steven Walker added: “This group posed a huge threat to Salford. Their conspiracy and arsenal could have been deadly. Thanks to the NCA and our team, we’ve saved at least one life. The community can rest easy knowing these men won’t be on the streets for decades.”
This gripping takedown showcases just how far organised crime will go — but also what law enforcement can achieve when hacking into the darkest corners of the criminal web.
