Scots Encrochat gangster who made more than £2million from drug trafficking only has £12,000 left
DIRTY MONEY Scots Encrochat gangster who made more than £2million from drug trafficking only has £12,000 left
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A GANGSTER serving time for a money spinning drugs racket made more than £2million from the scam.
But despite the huge earnings from his narcotics network, Leslie Montgomery only has £12,830 which can be seized under Proceeds of Crime laws, a court heard today.
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Montgomery was caught after police cracked an encrypted chat app called EncroChat
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The 64-year-old was part of an Ayrshire-based mob involved in trafficking drugs
Credit: Police Scotland
The High Court in Edinburgh had earlier heard the 64-year-old was part of an Ayrshire based mob which were involved in trafficking large scale consignments of cocaine and cannabis.
Montgomery and his accomplices Alan Stewart, 44, and Matthew Cullimore, 37, were only caught after police cracked an encrypted chat app called EncroChat used by organised crime groups.
Montgomery's conviction prompted prosecutors to launch a proceeds of crime action against him.
Lord Stuart heard that defence and prosecution lawyers had agreed to settle the matter.
They agreed that Montgomery had made £2,075,990 from drug dealing but he only had £12,830 available to be seized at this point in time.
At previous proceedings, the court heard how the trio were caught after French and Dutch law authorities smashed EncroChat which the gang had been using to organise their illegal activities.
Stewart used the handle 'ExcitedEmu', Montgomery 'NeatFerret' and Cullimore 'ButchPenguin' to communicate with each other and associates via thousands of encrypted messages.
The texts revealed chat including about 'multi-kilogram' hauls of cocaine, £516,000 being owed for drugs and a £100,000 cash payment.
Cullimore was clocked at one stage picking up almost £95,000 of dirty money at a local Burger King.
Lord Clark told Stewart that he was going to prison for five years and four months. Montgomery received a four year and four month long term whilst Cullimore also received a four years and four month long sentence.
Moment drug-smuggling pals DIVE into water during boat chase as they attempt to flee Border Force with cocaine in hull
Montgomery claimed any of the dirty money linked to him instead came from an inheritance and gambling.
He now has six months to hand over the sum of £12,830. Prosecutors can return to court if they identify further assets linked to his £2 million fortune.
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