Two top-end drug dealers, who were once among the UK’s “most wanted”, have been ordered to pay back just £2 between them after a lengthy financial investigation failed to realise any assets.
Brothers Michael, 34, and Peter Moogan, 40, used the EncroChat encrypted mobile phone system to try to cover their involvement in a major cocaine and cannabis supply operation but were busted after sending 38th birthday greetings to the latter on the supposedly secure platform which was infiltrated by Dutch and French police.
Messages obtained by UK police showed the pair discussing the buying and selling of cocaine in kilogram hauls between February and June 2020.But, the brothers, from Huyton, also shared pictures of their children, vehicles, homes and postcodes through the system.
Prosecutors argued they could be linked to the dealing of 8kgs of cocaine and 1kg of cannabis.
In January at Liverpool Crown Court, the pair were each jailed for 11 years and three months after they admitted conspiracy to supply both drugs.
The court heard both men had previous convictions, including for gun offences over which they appeared on the BBC show Crimewatch while they were wanted by police.
However, Merseyside Police said that cash that was seized during the investigation would be used for good causes.
“Economic crime investigations can often be long and painstaking, during which further assets may or may not be identified.
(Merseyside police) “We can confirm that proceedings in relation to this investigation are ongoing. To date, almost £30,000, which was seized in 2021, has been forfeited by this organised crime group.”
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Source: Two drug dealers who were once on UK’s ‘most wanted’ list asked to repay £1 EACH
