Nottingham criminal used encrypted chat to trade assault rifle then fled to Dubai

Police said Liam Mosley enjoyed a lavish lifestyle off the back of trading drugs and lethal firearms

A drug dealer who used encrypted messaging to arrange the sale of drugs and firearms has fled to Dubai. Liam Mosley sold Class A drugs and lethal firearms using the EncroChat messaging system.

The 29-year-old, and Razwan Hussain, who worked for him, thought the system meant they were untouchable. But police were on to them and after analysing ANPR data and mobile phone records Nottinghamshire Police linked them to a significant conspiracy.

Mosley would openly discuss deals worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and involving multiple kilos of cocaine. Hussain, 31, would travel to cities like Leeds and Bradford to collect the drugs, including one occasion when he picked up 10kg of cocaine.

Mosley pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, one count of offering to supply Class A drugs, and one count of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. He denied conspiring to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life but was found guilty following a trial.

Mosley was handed a jail sentence of 21 years in his absence at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (10 October). He absconded to Dubai before the trial and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Hussain was jailed for eight years and four months after being convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs and acquiring criminal property.

Detectives were able to prove the pair’s involvement in the supply of drugs between March and June 2020. Mosley used adapted Android phones to use the encrypted chat system.

Police found that the pair's phones were in the exact locations of devices using the encrypted network and vehicles linked to the conspiracy on multiple occasions in the spring and early summer of 2020.

Officers also uncovered more evidence when Hussain was arrested in June 2020 making a drug deal in Reigate Street, Basford. He tried to run off but was arrested with more than £29,000 in cash and drugs.

The pair were arrested in October 2020. Officers also found further evidence of drug dealing and seized luxury goods including designer trainers from a home linked to Mosley in St Ann’s.

Detective Sergeant Emma Pollard, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The quantities of drugs Mosley was supplying were substantial. The fact that he also conspired to trade firearms shows his complete disregard for public safety.

"Mosley absconded to Dubai before his trial and did not attend court for sentencing. We are making every effort to ensure his return and urgent conversations have been held with the National Crime Agency to arrange his extradition.

"Criminal gangs like this one thought they were able to avoid detection by using encrypted devices, but they instead presented police with a treasure trove of evidence. Their conspiracy showed a level of sophistication and they were clearly making huge profits through their criminal enterprise."

Nottinghamshire Police's press office has chosen not to release the addresses of Mosley or Hussain.