Organised crime group jailed over Slough money laundering and drugs operation

An organised crime group involved in the laundering of millions of pounds and cocaine supply in Slough have been handed lengthy jail sentences.

Thames Valley Police’s serious organised crime unit launched an investigation into the supply of class A drugs in the town between May 2020 and August 2020.

An organised crime group were identified who were communicating through the encrypted phone network, EncroChat, to move 98kg of cocaine and launder £2.2 million in cash connected to the enterprise.

On Friday, April 21 the final two members of the group received prison sentences during a hearing at Reading Crown Court.

Fariyaz Ahmed, 32, of Oakfield Avenue, Slough, was jailed for seven years and six months after pleading guilty to money laundering.

Shayan Mir, 52, of Elmcroft Terrace, Uxbridge, received a six year prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine.

The following three people have already been sentenced in connection with the investigation:

• Hammad Din, 29, of Montague Road, Slough, received a prison sentence of seven years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering
• Tanweir Hussain, 50, of Westgate Crescent, Slough, received a prison sentence of seven years and six months after pleading guilty to money laundering
• Daniel Marshal, 28, of The Brambles, West Drayton, received a prison sentence of nine years and one month after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Hardy, said: “Our investigation has led to five men being given prison sentences of a total of 37 and a half years and we disrupted a significant drugs operation operating in Slough was dismantled with cash and drugs taken off the streets.

“This investigation was part of the international take down by the National Crime Agency, British police forces and Europol, of a network of Organised Crime Groups who were using the encrypted phone network Encrochat.

Pictured: Crack cocaine seized in the investigation

“Our officers received intelligence obtained from Encrochat from our international partners, which allowed us as a force to arrest these individuals and bring them to justice.

“Organised crime groups dealing drugs on our streets bring only misery and contributes greatly to violence and the exploitation of vulnerable people.

“We will continue to investigate those who see fit to engage in this damaging criminal activity and bring them to justice.”