Cocaine 'broker' jailed for pandemic deals
NEROCUA drug dealer who arranged the wholesale supply of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine during the coronavirus pandemic has been jailed for seven years and two months.
Murad Ibrahim, 38, used the encrypted EncroChat network to arrange the delivery of "high purity" cocaine over a two-month period in 2020, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
He was involved in putting about 5kg worth of the "pernicious" drug, valued at up to £40,000 per kilo, out on to the streets, the court heard.
Ibrahim, from South Shields, who was caught after law enforcement agencies in Europe successfully hacked the EncroChat system, admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Analysis linked an EncroChat phone to Ibrahim, while people had also been using his first name in messages, the court heard.
Ibrahim was engaged in "negotiating the best price for a deal", Judge Tim Gittins said, adding he was "prepared to haggle" and offer credit to others in the drug dealing chain.
Much of it was "high purity" cocaine of at least 90% worth up to £40,000 a kilo, the judge said, with Ibrahim linked to just short of 5kg "being put on to the street".
"It is undoubtedly a pernicious and addictive crime-creating drug," Judge Gittins said.
"Others become addicted and commit crime to fund their addiction or commit crime because they are under its influence."
The judge said Ibrahim was a "broker and middleman" and got involved to make money during the pandemic.
