"it's a picture of a male sat in the driver's seat of a red Ferrari"
A cocaine dealer was exposed after posting details of his own Facebook page on EncroChat, a network used by criminals.
Farhan Alam thought he was “untouchable” when he sent messages to other criminals to arrange drug deals.
But when police cracked the encrypted communications network, detectives found evidence to prove Alam’s involvement.
Despite committing crimes under a pseudonym, Alam posted incriminating information which tied him to the ‘Knockoutguy’ username on EncroChat.
In one message, he posted his mobile number and in another, shared the postcode to his home. His EncroChat phone and his personal phone number co-located on several occasions.
Alam also posted details of his Facebook page in an EncroChat conversation.
Prosecutor Neil Fryman told Manchester Crown Court:
“On April 29, 2020, Knockoutguy actually sent a Facebook page in a screenshot to another handle.
“Enquiries revealed that Facebook profile was the defendant.
“You can clearly see in that picture, it’s a picture of a male sat in the driver’s seat of a red Ferrari with his arm covering his face.”
The following day, an associate asked Alam whether he was “coming in a Ferrari”.
Judge Hilary Manley told Alam:
“For a period of about five months, you bought and sold drugs of class A and B as part of a conspiracy.
“You were in effect a wholesale drug dealer. You were buying and selling on a commercial scale.”
Alam admitted his involvement in drug dealing between March and August 2020.
In messages sent to a contact in May, Alam said “haze n tops is my game” and “tops is what I do”. Haze is a slang term for cannabis while tops is slang for a kilo of cocaine.
EncroChat messages revealed that Alam had purchased six kilograms of cocaine to sell onward. He was also involved in dealing cannabis.
Police discovered pictures of two luxury Patek Philippe watches, worth £103,000 and £69,000.
Alam denied owning them and claimed he was a middleman selling the watches for a commission.
He pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis.
David Toal, defending, said Alam had been addicted to cocaine and had sought help.
He said a psychiatric report confirmed that Alam had also suffered from mental health issues.
The court heard Alam suffered from “significant” personal issues including the breakdown of his marriage.
Mr Toal added that while on remand in prison, his client has remained drug-free and has received positive staff references.
Alam was sentenced to seven years in prison and must serve half in prison.
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