Taxi driver organised cocaine and heroin trafficking to Netherlands during lockdown
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/li ... n-22963897
A taxi driver organised the trafficking of cocaine and heroin to the Netherlands after deciding the UK’s lockdown measures made it too risky for him to operate here.
But James Birch was still caught out by police after messages detailing his criminal activity were found on the hacked Encrochat messaging service.
The 35 year old used the handle ‘Octobourne’ on the encrypted messaging service to organise the movement of large amounts of drugs throughout 2020.
Birch was working as a private hire taxi driver and organising for the transport of Class A drugs within the UK.
However, messages sent by him that year on Encrochat reveal he considered it was too “risky” to continue to transport and supply drugs locally as a result of the national lockdown.
He then tried to take a self-imposed furlough instead of returning to work as a private hire driver.
Yet Birch continued to be involved in the supply of drugs with others by facilitating arrangements for the supply of 10-20kgs of heroin from one associate in Holland to another.
He recorded payments and cash collected from the drugs he supplied in his messages, with one totalling £169,624 in May 2020.
On December 15 last year, officers conducted a search of a property on Brookbridge Road and arrested Birch on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled Class A drugs after they seized five mobile telephones.
Detective Inspector Paul McVeigh of Merseyside Police said Birch’s greed meant he continued to be involved in the drugs trade internationally after deeming the UK too risky.
DI McVeigh said: “He clearly felt that the risk of his crimes being detected by police was too great here in Liverpool, but his attempts to evade justice by taking furlough and organising the supply of drugs further afield were also foiled, and that is a testament to the determination of officers here in Merseyside as well as other law enforcement agencies.
“We know the destruction that drugs and drug dealing causes and Merseyside Police remains relentless in our pursuit of those who cause misery no matter where they are sold.
“I would urge anyone with any concerns about illegal drug activity in their area to please pass on the information to us either directly to Merseyside Police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.”
Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111
Birch, of Brookbridge Road, Tuebrook was jailed for six years for money laundering and assisting or inducing the commission of an offence abroad.