"The plan was serious. It was not bravado."
Umair Zaheer, aged 34, of no fixed address, was jailed for 25 years for his involvement in sourcing guns and drug dealing. A picture of the “ruthless gangster” with an AK47 helped to bring him down.
He called himself ‘Assassin’s Creed’ on EncroChat and was involved in a plot to have a gangland rival shot.
His close ally Bilal Khan also posed with the AK47.
EncroChat messages revealed how Khan, known as ‘Legend Killer’ on the network, revelled in possessing the machine gun.
He wrote: “This ting gives me a hard-on.
“This is the daddy.
“I feel like my d*** works.
“No lie best ting I’ve seen.”
Zaheer and Khan were jailed alongside five other men for firearms and drugs offences.
Crimes uncovered included a plot to “hit back” after two men were shot in Salford, plots to purchase weapons including an AK47 and an Uzi submachine gun, as well as large scale drug dealing.
Brandon Moore and Jordan Waring were both shot in Kersal in April 2020.
They sought the help of Zaheer to source a gun and take revenge.
Zaheer said they would “do him” when they discovered where the alleged gunman was.
He said: “This kids f***** now.”
Waring replied: “Oh yea he is a dead man.”
Zaheer sent Moore a list of weapons available for sale, including two AK47s and an Uzi.
Moore said: “Yeah nice bro this kid needs it.”
Zaheer said: “He will get bro just let him get comfortable a bit we will sneak up on him.”
Moore and Waring were later arrested and the plot came to nothing.
Their lawyers claimed the messages were exaggerated and showed “bravado”.
But Mr Justice Kerr said: “The three of you at once planned revenge.
“The plan was serious. It was not bravado.”
The judge told Moore: “It was as real as the wound to your arm.”
Zaheer also helped broker deals to sell weapons to other criminals.
He arranged to sell Uzi and Skorpion submachine guns, as well as a pistol to Khan for £37,000.
Ex-electrician Robert Brazendale handed over the guns in a shop car park in Warrington in exchange for the cash which was delivered by a courier, Hitesh Patel.
Patel then drove to London with the weapons, where they were later seized by police.
Khan picked up an AK47, which Patel had been due to collect but couldn’t as the weapons could not fit in his car.
He took it to his uncle’s business premises in Warrington, where he and Zaheer posed for pictures.
A week later, police raided the site and found the AK47.
In a message to Zaheer, Khan said: “Bro they found it.
“Makes zero sense but NCA (National Crime Agency) have that AK.”
The pair were arrested in the following days.
The judge said: “The arrest and conviction of these defendants has probably prevented, at least, serious violence, and disrupted the criminal activities of a criminal gang.”
He told Zaheer:
“The photograph of you holding the AK47 was circulated to associates as a sign of your power.”
“Mr Khan celebrated with jubilant messages boasting of the firepower of the weapons and the prestige and thrills they brought.”
Despite his crimes, the judge accepted there was another side to Zaheer.
“You are not only a ruthless gangster, you are also a good son, partner, father and fundraiser for charitable causes.”
He said of Khan: “I have read your letter to the court apologising for your criminal behaviour and for letting down your family, employer and community.”
Zaheer pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.
Khan and Patel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Moore and Waring pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Brazendale admitted conspiring to transfer prohibited weapons.
Lewis Coleman admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine.
Zaheer was jailed for 25 years.
Khan was jailed for 10 years and eight months.
Patel was sentenced to seven years and five months in prison.
Moore was imprisoned for 11 years and five months.
Waring was jailed for eight years and seven months.
Brazendale was jailed for 11 years and three months.
Coleman was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.
Neil Gardner, NCA operations manager, said:
“The weapons we took off the street and out of the crime groups’ hands were some of the most lethal around with a truly devastating capability.
“In seizing these weapons which are capable of firing multiple rounds per second, we have saved lives and protected the public.”
DC Steven Walker, of GMP Salford’s Organised Crime Unit, said:
“This group of men undoubtedly posed a significant threat to the city of Salford and it’s right that they’ll now spend a majority of their adult years behind bars.
“The weapons that they were in possession of and the conspiracy they were planning could’ve proved to be a lethal combination and the work we’ve been able to do with the National Crime Agency has certainly saved at least one life.
“We believe some of the serious criminality we’ve seen in Salford over recent years has stemmed from the threat posed by these individuals and there’s no doubt the community can welcome the fact that these men won’t be operating on our streets for decades to come.”
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