Dad used Encrochat to make plans to smuggle cocaine from Holland in frozen chicken vans as part of £40m conspiracy, jury told

A Bolton businessman used Encrochat to concoct plans to smuggle huge quantities of cocaine and cannabis from Holland, a jury has been told.

The notes section of an Encrochat user called 'West Street' contained an "import route" from the European country to Lancashire, along with references to more than 500kg of heroin, cocaine, and cannabis - with a street value of around £40 million. Prosecution barrister Neil Fryman alleges that West Street is the username of recycling company director Irtiza Bashir.

Telling the court that Mr Bashir is the director of Haslingden-based business Globe Recycling Services, Mr Fryman alleged that the dad-of-two had been leading a double life. He said: "It's a business that has been doing very well indeed. The Crown's case is that this defendant is both a good business and a major drug dealer.

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The 45-year-old went on trial at Bolton Crown Court today (July 25) after pleading not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to fraudulently evade prohibition on importation of Class A drugs, conspiracy to fraudulently evade prohibition on importation of Class B drugs, and conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Mr Fryman told a jury of eight women and four men that Mr Bashir played a 'senior' role in a conspiracy that took place between October 2019 and December 2021, and involved a number of people, including Sohail Ali, who went by the username 'Liquid Emu' on Encrochat. Ali, 37, of Revidge Road, Blackburn, has previously admitted to being involved in the conspiracy.

Analysis of the 'West Street' Encrochat