A man who was part of an international conspiracy to import Class A drugs into the UK is facing more than 13 years behind bars.
An investigation led by Bedfordshire Police’s Operation Costello linked 54-year-old Rangzeb Khan to the supply of around 20 kilos of cocaine.
Detectives proved Khan had discussions on the Encrochat network with criminal contacts to discuss ways of moving large shipments of drugs across the world, suggesting various ports in Colombia could be used to bring drugs into Europe.
In June 2020, Khan was arrested by Bedfordshire Police on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs following a targeted warrant in Russell Street, Luton.
During the search of the property a quantity of cash and an Apple iPhone was found hidden in a bedroom wardrobe.
From June until October, Mr Khan was bailed under investigation. However, during this time, evidence surfaced around Khan’s conspiracy with an OCG who used Encrochat devices to communicate.
Khan, who also went by the alias ‘Uncle’, was later re-arrested but this time on suspicion of conspiring to supply Class A drugs.
Officers searched addresses linked to Khan and identified places inside the properties where Khan had taken pictures and sent them to his contacts through his Enro-handle ‘Wizewords’ between March and June 2020.
Costello detectives used information held within the system’s servers to link Rangzeb to an organised crime group who were sentenced last week to 65 years in prison between them.
The iPhone recovered during the original arrest was also linked to Khan and corroborated his role in brokering deals on behalf of the OCG.
Khan, of Russell Street, Luton, was sentenced to serve 13 years and three months at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday 21 June for conspiring to supply a Class A drug.
It comes in the same week Bedfordshire Police confirmed it was set to receive £3.3 million of government funding to continue Costello’s work cracking down on organised crime in the county.
Since launching in spring 2020 Costello has seized millions of pounds worth of drugs and criminal assets and put offenders behind bars for close to 300 years.
Detective Inspector Ian Holden, part of Bedfordshire Police’s Operation Costello team, said: “Khan played a significant role in arranging buyers and moving masses of drugs around the country.
“He knew how to play the illicit drugs game and believed he would get away with it under the guise of ‘Wizewords’.
“Data held within the Encrochat servers has given law enforcement a unique insight into hundreds of previously unknown criminals and their links to one another.
“To the Encrochat users who think they’ve got away, we know who you are and will make sure you get your day in court.”
For more information about Operation Costello and the recent funding awarded to support the fight against organised crime visit https://www.beds.police.uk/news/bedfordshire/news/2023/06-june/more-than-6-million-government-backing-to-combat-drugs-violence-exploitation-and-organised-crime-in-bedfordshire/
