Man jailed for role in drugs network worth £360m

Shakeel Razaq, a leading member of a criminal network, has been handed a 26-year prison sentence

A drug dealer has been jailed for 26 years for his role in a conspiracy to import and sell heroin and cocaine with a potential street value of about £360m.

Shakeel Razaq, 43, of Mansfield Road, Luton, was a leading member of a criminal network of drug dealers, detectives said.

An investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) found Razaq was responsible for sourcing and logistics for an organised crime group - and was the middleman between a supplier in Turkey and other UK-based drug dealers.

Detectives found he was behind the EncroChat internet handle "Zeroalliance", which he used to organise "colossal amounts of heroin and cocaine to be flown into the country".

Blocks of heroin sent to Razaq by a suspected supplier in Turkey

Messages on Razaq's devices showed he planned to bring in shipments totalling 3,058kg (6,742 lbs) of cocaine and 2,357kg (5,196 lbs) of heroin.

Further messages also indicated his involvement in a separate shipment of 156kg (344 kg) of heroin, which was seized.

Working with two others, he used the encrypted communications tool Encrochat in an attempt to evade law enforcement, ERSOU said.

Block of heroin sent by Razaq to another drug dealer

Razaq was found guilty of conspiracy to import and conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, following a two-week trial.

Det Con Hayley Kendall said the "career criminal" was sentenced after "a years-long police operation".

"Razaq coordinated the group’s activity, with messages clearly showing his role in bringing the drugs into the country and plans for onward distribution," she said.

"His conversations also clearly showed he paid no regard to the harm the substances might cause."