Просмотр исходного текста страницы Wealthy Haulage Boss Used Encrypted Phone Network To Run Drugs Ring

A wealthy haulage boss who ran a Europe-wide drug ring from his living room using an encrypted phone network has been jailed for 14 years.<br>Irishman Thomas Maher helped transport £1.5million worth of cocaine from the [/news/the-netherlands/index.html Netherlands] to Ireland from his suburban home in Warrington during lockdown.<br>He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today after previously admitting to four counts of conspiracy to commit a [/news/crime/index.html crime] abroad.      <br>The court heard the 40-year-old played a role in conspiracies to traffic around £1.5million worth of cocaine to Ireland via the UK and launder about £1million in cash. <br>The father-of-three, of Warrington, Cheshire, used encrypted phone network Encrochat - which was accessed by law enforcement agencies across Europe earlier this year - to plan the transportation, the court heard. <br>         Thomas Maher, 40, was described as 'an extremely important cog,' in a conspiracy to transport £1.5million worth of cocaine and launder £1million between the Netherlands and Ireland<br>         The haulage boss ran the Europe-wide drug ring from his living room in Warrington (Maher's home pictured) during lockdown<br>Sentencing him, Judge David Aubrey QC said: 'You were an extremely important cog in the wheel of a sophisticated network of distribution of class A controlled drugs which had an international element.<br>'You were a trusted organiser, playing a part in where goods were to be exchanged, how parties would be able to identify each other when drugs were to be conveyed and  [https://getpocket.com/@mimosapeace7 https://getpocket.com/@mimosapeace7] how.<br>'Drugs cause desperation and misery, they are a cancer in our midst, but for those like you it matters not as long as financial profit is being achieved.' <br>Maher, who used the Encrochat handles Satirical and Snacker for his messages, was arrested in October last year after the deaths of 39 Vietnamese people found in a shipping container in Essex, but was never charged in connection with the deaths.<br>A spokesman for the National Crime Agency said officers seized vehicles including a high-end Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery and an imported Corvette worth £70,000 following his arrest.<br>         The National Crime Agency said officers seized vehicles including a high-end Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery and an imported Corvette worth £70,000 following his arrest<br>         Maher, who was arrested but never charged following the deaths of Vietnamese migrants found in the back of a lorry in Grays last year, has been jailed for 14 years <br>         Officers seized thousands of euros bundled together following Maher's arrest on June 13 <br>         He spent thousands on holidays to Dubai, Mexico and New York and while in Dubai bought artwork including a map of the world made up of bullets. <br>He spent thousands on holidays to Dubai, Mexico and New York and while in Dubai bought artwork including a map of the world made up of bullets, the spokesman said.<br>The judge said Maher, owner of Thomas Maher Transport Ltd, provided 'expertise' from owning a haulage business within the operation.<br>Catherine Rabaiotti, prosecuting, said Maher was arrested at his home on June 13, the same day Encrochat issued an alert telling users it had been compromised.<br>   RELATED ARTICLES  [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next]     [/news/article-9079273/Guatemalan-military-confiscated-16-million-cocaine-shipment-narco-jet-crash-killed-pilot.html  Narco jet transporting guns and $16M of cocaine stamped with...] [/news/article-9078897/Grime-rapper-Jukkie-boasted-gangster-lifestyle-songs-jailed-nine-years.html  Grime rapper Jukkie, 26, who boasted about his gangster...]    <br><br><br><br>Share this article<br>Share<br><br><br>Neither of the two Encrochat devices linked to him were recovered, the court heard.<br>Ms Rabaiotti said messages showed him acting as a go-between and 'logistics manager'.<br>She said: 'Passwords, times, details of stops and prices were passed through the defendant acting as a middle-man for the parties.' <br>John Dye, defending, said Maher received between 3,000 and 5,000 euros (£2,700-£4,500) for the plots he was charged with involvement in.<br>He said: 'That's a very small amount compared to the value of the overall conspiracy.'<br>         Maher, who also had a collection of valuable watches, was arrested at his home on June 13, the same day Encrochat issued an alert telling users it had been compromised.<br>          Maher, from Cheshire, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today after previously admitting to four counts of conspiracy to commit a crime abroad<br>         Maher was arrested in October last year after the deaths of 39 Vietnamese people found in a shipping container in Essex, but was never charged in connection with the deaths<br>Mr Dye said Maher had pleaded guilty and not attempted to legally challenge the evidence from the Encrochat devices, adding: 'He has been brave enough to put up his hands as quickly as possible and not mess the court around.'<br>A count of conspiracy to commit a crime abroad - that of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm to Ronan Hughes in Ireland between April 21 and 29 this year - was ordered to lie on the file after Maher pleaded not guilty.<br>Haulier Hughes, 40, from Co Armagh in Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey in August to 39 counts of manslaughter following the deaths of the Vietnamese migrants.<br>