A drug dealer who made it easy for police to find him after sending boasting images of his city centre high rise balcony view has been jailed for eight years
Shaqeel Ditta aged 36 of Kelso Place, Manchester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs
With the illicit money he made, Ditta liked to enjoy a lavish lifestyle, dropping tens of thousands of pounds at luxury retail shops.
During a search of his apartment, police seized almost £50,000 worth of designer clothes along with an extra large money jar full of cash and coins, estimated to be around £3,000.
He was trapped after his messages on encrypted mobile phones were intercepted by police under Operation Venetic; the unprecedented National Crime Agency (NCA) led operation which disrupted the encrypted communication system, Encrochat.
The messages showed him arranging and facilitating the sale of large quantities of cocaine.
Ditta would often source the drugs, then sell them on to buyers immediately, without ever having to come into contact with the drugs himself. Messages showed prices in excess of £40,000 per kilo, indicating he was making huge profits.
With the illicit money he made, Ditta liked to enjoy a lavish lifestyle, dropping tens of thousands of pounds at luxury retail shops. During a search of his apartment, police seized almost £50,000 worth of designer clothes along with an extra large money jar full of cash and coins, estimated to be around £3,000.
PC Natalie Fairhurst from the Serious Organised Crime Group said:
“Ditta felt he could let his guard down when using his Encrophone, confident that he could operate with impunity to move large quantities of harmful substances across Greater Manchester and further afield.
“However, his messages provided a valuable insight into his nefarious operation and Ditta was left with little choice but to plead guilty to his crimes when presented with overwhelming evidence supported by his own incriminating messages.
“Whilst Ditta contemplates his actions over the next several years from the confines of his cell, we remain committed to relentlessly pursuing those involved in drug supply and organised crime across Greater Manchester
