Gangster Khassim Lawrence Locked Up for Nearly 6 Years Over Guns and Coke
Khassim Lawrence, aka ‘Motleymetal’ on encrypted chat app EncroChat, was handed a 5 year and 10-month jail sentence at Manchester Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear and conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Inside the Dark World of ‘Motleymetal’
Police cracked Lawrence’s operation after digging through piles of incriminating messages on EncroChat. The chats revealed a chilling plot to attack a man over drug debts with a firearm – despite the victim living with a child. Lawrence accepted the role of ‘thug for hire’, ordering his men to ‘gun butt him’ and ‘spray the gaff up’ to send a violent message.
The gang even discussed what gun to use, swapped photos of the target and his wife’s car, and warned that the victim’s family would be threatened if debts weren’t paid. Lawrence hired ‘soldiers’ to dress as builders and carry out the assault, promising them £7,500 for the job.
Drug Dealing, Bling, and Risky Deals
Lawrence’s texts also showed he was back in the drug game, boasting about buying expensive watches and jewellery after getting out of jail. In May 2020, he bought a kilo of cocaine for £37,500 and quickly sought more supply. He later negotiated with a North East crime gang to sell nearly £20,000 worth of the Class A drug.
Operation Venetic: How the Police Busted Him
Detectives swooped on Lawrence’s home in Denton on July 1, discovering cash, multiple phones, flashy clothes, and a knife hidden under the mattress. The bust was part of the massive Operation Venetic, the UK’s biggest crackdown on organised crime using encrypted phones, led by the National Crime Agency.
Detective Constable Chris Brown, GMP Oldham Challenger, said: “Khassim Lawrence thought he was safe behind a secure system, but he was leaving a trail straight to jail. The messages about the planned attack were horrific and showed no regard for public safety. This sentence sends a strong warning to criminals dealing in this dangerous trade — we will find you and bring you to justice.”
“Organised crime devastates communities, often hidden from view. We’ll keep using every tool to disrupt these offenders across Greater Manchester. We welcome tips from the public — if you see or hear anything suspicious, contact us or Crimestoppers.”
Speak Up to Stop Crime
- Share info with police online via LiveChat or call 101.
- Tips can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
