Drug dealing duo jailed after search history unearths link to cocaine and firearms trade

A drug dealer who searched online for 'Encro phone handsets', 'firearms' and 'drugs' has been jailed to more than 25 years alongside his co-conspirator.

Zahid Asghar, 42, browsed news articles between February and July 2020, about the police accessing the Encrochat servers and a news article with the headline "Police catch hundreds suspected of leading secret criminal lives by infiltrating phone system." 

During the investigation, a warrant was executed at Asghar's home address where officers found drugs paraphernalia, multiple mobile phones, a gold Rolex watch and other designer items, as well as cash and documents detailing his illegal activity.

Mr Asghar was arrested alongside his co-conspirator Kuda Nhekede, 45, for their part in the significant and sophisticated commercial drug supply operation.

EncroChat, an encrypted communications platform prominently used by criminals, was dismantled in 2020 and has since led to more than 6,500 arrests globally.

Following the platforms takedown, Bedfordshire Police launched its local response, Operation Costello. It is now the force's biggest ever operation to tackle serious and organised crime across the county, having sentenced criminals to more than 400 years jailtime.

Analysis of the phone data revealed there was a chain of command between Asghar and Nhekede. Asghar, believed to be leading the operation, sourced wholesale quantities of cocaine and heroin from upstream suppliers and gave instructions to Nhekede about the preparation and onward supply of the drugs.

Communication between the pair indicated that Nhekede used cutting agents including paracetamols, caffeine, and bicarbonate of soda in efforts to maximise profits.

In one message exchange, Asghar asks Nhekede "how much bicarb u put in…stick to putting 45 plz… we losing profit like that."

Detectives also uncovered Asghar and Nhekede's criminal enterprise included the supply of firearms and ammunition. Text messages revealed a shot gun was obtained as the pair discussed shortening the barrel for ease of concealment and to increase its appeal when selling to other criminals.

Zahid Asghar of Douglas Road, Luton and Kuda Nhekede, Arundel Road, Luton pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs, and possession of firearms and ammunition. 

Asghar was sentenced to 15 years and four months while Nhekede received nine years and nine months at Luton Crown Court today (Thursday).

Detective Sergeant Andrew Webb from Operation Costello said: "Ashgar and Nhedeke's intentions were plain and simple; they were going to profit from illegal activity regardless of who may come into harm as a result. We welcome their sentence today as another successful result in our efforts to tackle serious and organised crime.

"In the same way there is no smoke without fire, there is no drugs trade without the presence of violence and exploitation.

"This is not a victimless crime. Firearms and other dangerous weapons are commonly encountered amongst drug dealers, while vulnerable people are used to support their operations."