The mysterious underworld figure is believed to be the head of a gang bringing drugs from Europe into Liverpool
The National Crime Agency and police take part in raid on a property in relation to an investigation into Encrochat. Image: Jacob King/PA Wire(Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
Investigators are a step closer to unmasking drugs kingpin “Urban Flamingo” after a probe smashed a £30m smuggling ring. The shadowy underworld figure is believed to be the head of a major crime organisation bringing drugs from the European mainland and into Liverpool and the wider UK.
It follows a National Crime Agency (NCA) sting in November 2019 during which dogs sniffed out £8m of cocaine stashed in the secret hide of a van carrying foie gras and duck breast through Newhaven’s port on the South Coast. Four men were jailed earlier this month for a total of nearly 60 years for their part in the plot after officers cracked their encrypted EncroChat phones.
However, it can be revealed that police officers intercepted encrypted phone chats between smuggler Michael Keating, who used the EncroChat name “Bestrocket”, and “Urban Flamingo”. The messages revealed plans to bring £30m of cocaine from Spain and then across the Channel in golf bags and hidden in food consignments.
A court heard the top crime boss, whose identity has yet to be ascertained by investigators, was based in the south of Spain, NCA detectives believe. The Mirror reported all conversations between “Urban Flamingo” and Keating were in English and the intended destination for the drugs was Liverpool.
Granddad Keating, from Uxbridge in Middlesex, dealt directly with “Urban Flamingo” and another deputy to organise bringing the cocaine into the UK. Keating, who is a career criminal with convictions going back to the 1980s, was matched to his encrypted handle by sending photos of a boat he had bought, as well as references to his family.
Judge Christine Henson KC told Keating he had long established connections in the drug world. But Lewes Crown Court heard Keating had refused to name those above him in the organisation.
She told him: “While I accept there are others above, you were towards the top performing a leading role.” When NCA officers searched Keating’s home, they seized more than £50,000 cash and a notebook that appeared to contain a list of EncroChat handles.
Michael and Matthew Keating have been jailed for their roles in a drug plot which plotted to bring £30m of cocaine from Spain and then across the Channel in golf bags and hidden in food consignments.(Image: NCA)
The gang was said to have run a sophisticated, well organised and determined criminal enterprise. They used fake and legitimate businesses importing fish and oysters from Europe through Newhaven’s port. The gang took Eurostar trains to southern France and Spain to meet contacts while their drivers brought vans to pick up shipments of drugs.
Keating, 56, was jailed for 24 years for importing cocaine and handed a nine year sentence to be served concurrently for importing ketamine with his younger brother Matthew. Matthew Keating, 49, also had an EncroChat phone and used the platform to plan an 80kg importation of the class B drug. He was jailed for seven years and six months in January 2024.
Following the seizure of 97kg of cocaine in the back of the transit van in Newhaven, the NCA’s attention first turned to the driver. However, after it was proved the driver was innocent, officers found the van owners Jean-Pierre Labelle, 48, and Tanvir Hussain, 46, were behind the failed importation along with the Michael Keating.
Jean Pierre Labelle (left) and Tanvir Hussain have been jailed for their roles in a drug plot which plotted to bring £30m of cocaine from Spain and then across the Channel in golf bags and hidden in food consignments.(Image: NCA)
Labelle was described as a trusted member of the group who was in charge of sourcing vehicles and drivers. He was also trusted with drugs and cash. He was convicted of people trafficking while on bail for the drugs conspiracy and was jailed for a total of 17 years.
Hussain was described as a family man with two jobs who saw an opportunity to make easy money. He was recruited by old school friend Labelle to drive for the gang. He was jailed for ten years.
Judge Henson told the court: “The conspiracy to import both class A and B drugs was well organised with sophisticated planning and established connections within the international drugs network at least from the Keating brothers. This was a sophisticated, well organised and determined criminal enterprise.”
Mark Ruff, NCA senior officer, said: “The cover load of foie gras and duck breast is highly unusual and Border Force colleagues did a superb job in seeing through it and the concealed floor. This result demonstrates the determination of NCA officers to bring to justice all those involved in the importation of illegal drugs – whether they sort the logistics, knowingly transport the substances, or benefit financially from the trade.
“In this case we proved the offenders’ links and completely dismantled a crime group. The class A drugs trade fuels violence and misery at every step of its way to the UK. We will continue to work alongside partners at home and abroad to right the threat of class A drugs.”