Three men, aged between 28 and 56, were jailed last week for their roles after pleading guilty to drugs offences. Luton drug dealer Imran Bukhari jailed for a string of offences. His lieutenant, 32-year-old Yaqoob, of Kingsway, also had an Encrochat device, with the pair frequently discussing drug deals and cash exchanges. We abide by the Editors Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. Operation Costello was launched in 2020 after the UK's biggest ever law enforcement operation brought down the Encrochat platform an encrypted tool used exclusively by criminals to communicate with each other - allowing investigators to view messages and other media sent between users as they discussed large-scale criminality such as the movement of drugs and weapons. Unexplained wealth and expensive items bought via cash are key indicators that someone may be involved in organised crime. Luton Crown Court heard that cannabis was for sale on a 24-hour-a day basis, with the defendants working in shift patterns. The trio are the latest to be brought to justice by Bedfordshire Police's Operation Costello team, which is dedicated to apprehending offenders linked to the criminal communications tool Encrochat. By: He was jailed in April for nine years. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition on the importation of a Class A drugs and possession of criminal property. Kianis money was made entirely from illegal activity. Luton drug dealers who sold 'wholesale' amount of cocaine jailed for more than 32 years Three members of a drug dealing network which sold wholesale amounts of cocaine have been jailed for a total of 32 and a half years. Officers taking part in the largest operation in the history of Bedfordshire Police - Operation Costello brought Kiani to justice. Luton News. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app. Something went wrong, please try again later. A drug dealer in Luton who flaunted his illicit wealth by pouring Champagne over Rolex watches in a nightclub has been jailed for more than 15 years, The Daily Mail reported. On his arrest in June 2020, investigators found digital scales, cutting agents and cocaine at his home. ", Six Bedford men charged following operation with over 100 officers deployed, Search warrants were carried out across Bedford, Discussions with landowners holding up construction of new M1 link road, meeting hears, The link road will connect the M1 and the A6 throughout Bedfordshire, Two men arrested after theft of 500,000 of railway cable near Luton, Police said that the thefts led to 4,000 minutes of delays, Photos show the full extent of pothole damage plaguing some of Biggleswade's roads. Abu Ali, 25, and Yusuf Ali, 21, both of Biscot Road, Luton, admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis and were jailed for three years and three years and three months respectively. Nattesh Jeevarajah, aged 19, of Sutherland Road, Corby, Northamptonshire, was also given a two year suspended sentence as part of the investigation. Operation Costello was set up through Special Grant funding from the government to help Bedfordshire Police tackle the extraordinary challenges posed locally by organised crime. They used an encrypted communications tool to sell the wholesale blocks of cocaine, To stay up to date with all the latest news from across Bedfordshire sign up to our free newsletter for daily updates and all the latest breaking news. Images found on the system also showed blocks of pressed white powder, thought to be cocaine. A man from Luton has been sentenced for drug offences, following an investigation by Thames Valley Police. Anti Remote Digital Surveillance. Local news and What's On from Hitchin. The Encrochat platform, which was used exclusively by networks of criminals, was dismantled in spring 2020 in the UKs biggest ever law enforcement operation. He was caught by an investigation following the UKs biggest ever law enforcement operation in spring 2020, when data found on servers linked to the Encrochat platform an encrypted tool used exclusively by criminals to communicate with each other - allowed police to examine the network they used to discuss large-scale criminality such as the movement of drugs and weapons. He messaged another criminal associate in central Luton to renew his subscription to the EncroChat platform in one specific exchange of messages. Matushan Vasanthan, aged 20, of Gardenia Avenue, Luton, was sentenced to three years in prison at Aylesbury Crown Court on Tuesday October 25. All three admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please click here to contact us. More details? Choudhry, 34, of Oakley Gardens, was yesterday (June 17) sentenced to 17 years imprisonment for his role leading the organised crime group (OCG) which sold and distributed bulk amounts of the class A drug, often kilogrammes at a time. On his arrest in June 2020, investigators found digital scales, cutting agents and cocaine at his home. Two families of drug dealing brothers were sentenced on Thursday, July 1, 2021, for running a round-the-clock cannabis business in Luton. This should serve as a warning to all those who become involved in drugs you will be targeted and dealt with severely by the courts. "Under this dedicated operation, we have managed to disrupt this criminal network who had no fear of prosecution under the guise of Enrochat. All Rights Reserved. These individuals are funding lavish lifestyles off the back of violence, exploitation and the misery of others. 10th Dec 2022 28 year old Mansoor Kiani was found guilty of the supply of heroin and cocaine. Its positive news that he and his associates will no longer be able to do this. The data subsequently allowed investigators to shine a spotlight on how organised criminals were operating by viewing the messages and other media sent between users. Bedfordshire's cheapest locations to fill up your car, Petrol prices UK have fallen to the lowest they have been in nearly a year, Luton's Stacey Dooley announces birth of first child with Strictly star, Kevin Clifton, The TV presenter announced she was expecting her first baby in August 2022, Cold weather alert upgraded to amber as 'severe' conditions persist, Members of the public are urged to look out for vulnerable family and friends who could suffer ill-health from such cold weather, The glamourous life of Luton Love Islander Lana Jenkins, She's worked with the likes of James Arthur as part of her make-up artist career and loves to share snaps of her travelling, Discussions with landowners holding up construction of new M1 link road, Arrests made after 500,000 of railway cable stolen in Bedfordshire, Photos show the extent of pothole damage plaguing some of Biggleswade's roads, Bedfordshire Police student officer dismissed after attacking ex-partner, PC Atkins also sent inappropriate images to another woman, 'I visited Biggleswade's hidden gem caf and I can't wait to go back', Luton's Lana Jenkins firm favourite to win 2023's Love Island, The 25-year-old makeup artist is the ex-girlfriend of actor Owen Warner, Luton man threw egg towards King 'because visit was in bad taste', Harry May has been fined following the incident on December 6, Met Office issues 'severe cold weather' alert as public braces for snow and ice, The Met Office said the weather "could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services", Roadworks to take place countywide with limited closures in place, Works are set to take place across the county, with limited closures in place. Drive, bike, walk, public transport directions on map to Paran Racing - HERE WeGo https://www.digitalbank.capital/super-encrypted-cellphone. The business is not just illegal, it is immoral and despicable.". This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. A 12-strong gang of Luton drug dealers - including three boys aged under 18 - have been jailed for a total of 40 years. He was arrested in November 2020 and the following month was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin. Jailing them, the judge said: This conspiracy to supply cannabis was well organised. Jeevarajah then attempted to run from officers but was quickly detained after a short foot chase in the housing estate. Teenager charged with the murder of Bedford student, Bedford man's stomach pain was caused by an unknown tumour in need of surgery, A glimpse within the ultra-modern 6-bed Luton house on sale for 1.2million, Bedfordshire fly-tipper caught dumping fridge full of rotting food on roadside, All the major road closures and roadworks set to cause motorists disruption across Bedfordshire, Matushan Vasanthan of Gardenia Avenue, Luton, was sentenced to three years in prison at Aylesbury Crown Court. A drug dealer who flaunted his wealth by filming himself pouring champagne over Rolex watches in a Knightsbridge nightclub has been jailed. 20,000 seized by police in raids will be given to local charities helping homeless people, families and ex offenders. They each pleaded guilty and their sentences ranged from eight years in prison to youth rehabilitation orders. Luton Crown Court [] Detective Inspector Tom Stean of Bedfordshire Police said: There is no doubt that Kiani was behind the distribution of multiple kilograms of cocaine and heroin, something which will have no doubt had a significant and harmful impact across our communities. The drugs were hidden at the bottom of a consignment of small-value goods such as spider catchers. Bedfordshire Police seized more than 10,000 in cash as well as large amounts of. A drug dealer who flaunted his wealth by filming himself pouring champagne over Rolex watches in a Knightsbridge nightclub has been jailed. We know that drugs fuel widespread criminality, from gang violence and exploitation by those involved in importing and selling, to users driven to robbery and burglary crime to raise money to feed their addictions. A drug dealer in Luton who flaunted his illicit wealth by pouring Champagne over Rolex watches in a nightclub has been jailed for more than 15 years, The Daily Mail reported. Read about our approach to external linking. Six men charged following major drugs bust at multiple properties in Bedford. I am sure many others will feel sick watching him parade his wealth in this video, and share my satisfaction that he is now facing a lengthy prison sentence. He added: Op Costello is not looking at street dealers; we are going after the big players involved in fuelling local drugs markets. Messages showed Kiani arranging meetings with drugs and cash couriers, coordinating payments to those supplying him with the drugs, and arranging codewords for use during exchanges, said police. He had been on bail for possessing a prohibited weapon and had received a suspended sentence at Luton crown court shortly before his arrest for a drug offence and possessing criminal property. Investigation Officer Gary Hales, from Operation Costello, said: These men have no place in society and arent welcome in our communities, and Im delighted they have been given significant jail terms. Luton's Stacey Dooley announces birth of first child with Strictly star, Kevin Clifton, The TV presenter announced she was expecting her first baby in August 2022, Cold weather alert upgraded to amber as 'severe' conditions persist, Members of the public are urged to look out for vulnerable family and friends who could suffer ill-health from such cold weather, Bedfordshire's cheapest locations to fill up your car, Petrol prices UK have fallen to the lowest they have been in nearly a year, The glamourous life of Luton Love Islander Lana Jenkins, She's worked with the likes of James Arthur as part of her make-up artist career and loves to share snaps of her travelling, Discussions with landowners holding up construction of new M1 link road, Arrests made after 500,000 of railway cable stolen in Bedfordshire, Photos show the extent of pothole damage plaguing some of Biggleswade's roads, Bedfordshire Police student officer dismissed after attacking ex-partner, PC Atkins also sent inappropriate images to another woman, 'I visited Biggleswade's hidden gem caf and I can't wait to go back', Luton's Lana Jenkins firm favourite to win 2023's Love Island, The 25-year-old makeup artist is the ex-girlfriend of actor Owen Warner, Luton man threw egg towards King 'because visit was in bad taste', Harry May has been fined following the incident on December 6, Met Office issues 'severe cold weather' alert as public braces for snow and ice, The Met Office said the weather "could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services", Roadworks to take place countywide with limited closures in place, Works are set to take place across the county, with limited closures in place. A drug dealer from Luton has been sentenced to over fifteen years in prison for the supply of heroin and cocaine. His lieutenant, 32-year-old Yaqoob, of Kingsway, also had an Encrochat device, with the pair frequently discussing drug deals and cash exchanges. Middle-aged Darley Abbey man a kingpin in cocaine empire. Our technology is above Governments level , its the highest level of anti interception/ anti espionage tech available to the private sector. A man from Luton has been sentenced for drug offences, following an investigation by Thames Valley Police. After the systems servers were seized by law enforcement in Spring 2020, investigators had access to hundreds of thousands of messages between criminals who were under the impression they were communicating securely. Mansoor Kiani, 28, tried to hide his drug-dealing activities by using an encrypted phone communication system called EncroChat. Mansoor Kiani, 28, of Luton, tried to hide his illegal . Drug dealers 'stand out' during lockdown. A 12-strong gang of Luton drug dealers - including three boys aged under 18 - have been jailed for a total of 40 years. Cannabis factories dismantled and eight arrested in Bedfordshire Police raids, Costa Coffee to offer free iced drinks to all customers amid as heatwave hit the UK, Luton residents may not have their bins collected today amid UK heat wave, Flitwick Barclays among 15 more bank branches newly announced to close in 2023, 26 Barclays branches are set to close this year, Motorists aged 70 and over must obtain new driver's licence or face fine warns DVLA, You could be fined up to 1,000 and even have your vehicle seized, The maze of potholes in Biggleswade damaging cars and causing chaos, "I've lived in Biggleswade for nearly twenty years and I have never seen the roads as bad. Find the closest jeweler in Brazil, Paran, Curitiba. The total estimated amount of drugs seized was 19,300. Neither had previous convictions. Operation Costello Lead Manager Linda Carson from Bedfordshire Police said: "The saying bad things come in threes comes to mind in this case which is another positive result for our dedicated Op Costello team who work tirelessly to combat high-level criminality. Since being launched 18 months ago, more than 65 people have been arrested and 120 warrants have been carried out. A Derby drug dealer was one of the kingpins of a vast illegal empire which flooded the UK with 165m of high-purity cocaine.. Paldip . We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Vasanthan pleaded guilty to three counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, namely cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin. VideoChess gets a risqu makeover, The Nigerian influencers paid to manipulate your vote, How Mafia boss was caught at a clinic after 30 years. Schahjahan Ali was today jailed for 13 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine. Mansoor Kiani, 28, of Carlton Crescent, attempted to hide his drug dealing activities by using an encrypted communication system which was later cracked by police. The dealers are the latest to be jailed by Operation Costello bringing its total jail sentences to 150 years. Kiani, of Carlton Crescent, was jailed for 15 years and six months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine after a three-day trial at Luton Crown Court. To stay up to date with all the latest news from across Bedfordshire sign up to our free newsletter for daily updates and all the latest breaking news. Exchanges were often carried out in broad daylight in the middle of the street. jailed last week for their roles after pleading guilty to drugs offences, Maximum two drinks a week, Canada guidance advises, 15 minutes to defend yourself against the death penalty, US porn star declared unfit for sex crimes trial, Netflix offers $385,000 for private jet attendant, Prankster disrupts FA Cup coverage with sex noises, World's oldest person, Sister Andr, dies aged 118, Polar bear kills woman and boy in Alaska village, Gambling kingpin Alvin Chau jailed for 18 years, Potential jurors find Musk smart - or 'off his rocker'. After arresting Jeevarajah who was in possession of 26 bags of cocaine, 30 bags of heroin, 148 wraps of crack cocaine, digital scales, two mobile phones, 115 in cash and a stun gun, officers gained access to a flat on Honeycomb Way, Buckingham, which was being cuckooed by Jeevarajah, where they found Matushan Vasanthan, aged 20, from Luton. Investigating officer PC Levi Fensom, of the Aylesbury Stronghold Team, based at Aylesbury police station, said: "This case relates into an investigation into an Aylesbury drugs line called the Kev line. There is no doubt that Kiani was behind the distribution of multiple kilogrammes of cocaine and heroin, something which will have no doubt had a significant and harmful impact across our communities. Local News. 845898). As always you can unsubscribe at any time. They paid no regard to the harm they were doing by bringing class A drugs into Bedfordshire, nor the associated damage that drug-related crime has in terms of public health and wider criminality. They used a telephone number, known as the 'Kane Line' to deal the drugs. Police in raids will be given to local charities helping homeless people, families and ex offenders in. Latest to be jailed by Operation Costello brought Kiani to justice Luton drug dealers - three. 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