Man jailed after conspiring to multi-kilos of drugs and moving over £900,000 in 2 months

A man from Kirkby has been jailed after conspiring to supply multi-kilos of cannabis and moving over £900,000 of cash over two months.
 
Scott Massam, aged 27, of Ribblers Lane, was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months for conspiracy to supply class B controlled drug (cannabis) and conspire to produce cannabis at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Monday 5 February.
 
The investigation formed part of the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic: a national investigation into the use of encrypted mobile devices, commonly referred to as Encrochat.
 
Police uncovered data from Massam’s encrypted mobile device and found he used the handle MUDDYROYAL via messages discussing the quality of cannabis from a grow site he had visited.
 
A message to one of his contacts read: “Yerr it smells its like b their proper dense now as well so can tell not gonna be spongy weed be proper tight buds r kid.”
 
Massam had 47 other encrochat contacts on his device who were high level criminal operators.
 
Massam also extended credit to his customers on a buy-now-pay-later scheme he refers to as ‘bail.’
 
He used couriers and met customers at different postcodes to secure handovers of cash and drugs.
 
Detectives used this evidence to arrest and charge Massam in June 2023 with drug offences and acquiring, using and possessing criminal property.
 
Massam pled guilty in court to conspiring to supply 279.45kg of cannabis. He also handled and moved around £924,000 in a two-month period by police reckoning. 
 
Speaking after the sentencing Detective Constable Kevin Mitchell said: “Massam’s messages showed he played a pivotal role in a criminal organisation. He was the main accountant and money mover for an enterprise generating hundreds of thousands of pounds a month in drug revenue. 
 
“He bought and sold drugs on a huge commercial scale which allowed us to secure the evidence that ultimately led to his arrest and conviction.
 
“The jailing of criminals like Massam who continue to buy and sell drugs that have a dangerous impact on our community is continuing on an almost daily basis.
 
“I hope this result shows the methods we will use to disrupt serious organised crime and anyone who endangers lives in our regions.”
 
If you have any information about drug dealing in the community you can contact us by sending a DM to @MerPolCC, calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.