Football starlet became kingpin of huge drug ring
Manchester Evening News|March 22, 2024
A FORMER football prodigy has been jailed after organising the distribution of hundreds of kilos of cocaine across the UK - including Greater Manchester - in one of the largest drug rackets ever encountered.
AMY WALKER
Football starlet became kingpin of huge drug ring

Jamie Cassidy, now 46, an ex-Liverpool FC youth star, previously admitted his part in the multi-million pound drug operation, which shipped industrial amounts of cocaine from South America into Europe.

Led by his older brother Jonathan Cassidy, 50, alongside his business partner Nasar Ahmed, 51, the gang transported up to 356 kilos of the class A drug, with an estimated street value of £26 million, in modified vehicles.

Once the cocaine landed in the UK, Jamie Cassidy distributed it across the country through a network of couriers.

Now the three have been jailed for a combined total of 55 years after admitting their role in the operation.

Jamie Cassidy previously played alongside Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen, and won the FA Youth Cup in 1996 while playing for Liverpool's youth team. Liverpool beat a West Ham team which included future England stars Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.

But Jamie, a midfielder, was released without making a first team appearance after a series of injuries. He later signed for Cambridge United before playing for non-league sides.

In his 2008 autobiography, Jamie Carragher said Cassidy "would have been a certain Liverpool regular if he hadn't suffered so much with injuries".

Jamie Cassidy was arrested following the law enforcement infiltration of the encrypted EncroChat messaging system used by criminals.

Prosecuting, Richard Wright KC told Manchester Crown Court that the men used the devices to arrange their deals across the North of England.

They also moved up to £10 million in cash in the space of three months by way of money laundering.

Jamie Cassidy, whose username was 'Nuclear-Dog, directed a team of drug dealers who sold the cocaine to various customers in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and Glasgow, Mr Wright said.

"The first importation occurred in early March 2020," the prosecutor said.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MANCHESTER EVENING NEWSView all
Jude's message to former City star on his retirement
Manchester Evening News

Jude's message to former City star on his retirement

JUDE Bellingham has sent a heartfelt message to Jesus Navas after the former City forward played the final game of his professional career on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
Pep reiterates how difficult it is to find the right players in a January window
Manchester Evening News

Pep reiterates how difficult it is to find the right players in a January window

PEP Guardiola said that nobody at City looks as good as normal in their losing run as he picked out two players for their efforts.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
County boss gets in the festive spirit
Manchester Evening News

County boss gets in the festive spirit

STOCKPORT County manager Dave Challinor insists the Hatters will embrace and enjoy the unique challenges of professional football in England over the festive period.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 24, 2024
PEP'S NOT READY TO TAKE KLOPP'S ROUTE OUT
Manchester Evening News

PEP'S NOT READY TO TAKE KLOPP'S ROUTE OUT

CITY manager Pep Guardiola claimed he would ‘sleep better’ when Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp departs and so far, his comments may not be entirely true.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 24, 2024
Lewis focused on the biggest challenge of all
Manchester Evening News

Lewis focused on the biggest challenge of all

England head coach Jon Lewis says his side are in “a really good place” for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, which he describes as cricket’s “hardest challenge”.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 24, 2024
Draper sets sights on hitting the top
Manchester Evening News

Draper sets sights on hitting the top

US OPEN SEMI-FINAL GAVE BRITISH TALENT A TASTE OF THE BIG TIME

time-read
2 mins  |
December 24, 2024
Manchester Evening News

Retail figures look 'disastrous'

THIS Christmas appears to have been “disastrous” for retailers as households battle with ongoing cost-of-living pressures, new figures suggest.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
Loyalty card issue for Morrisons
Manchester Evening News

Loyalty card issue for Morrisons

MORRISONS has cut the price of items including turkeys and Champagne for all shoppers, after a system glitch hit its loyalty card yesterday, but some customers may face delayed Christmas orders.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
King's focus is on value of health
Manchester Evening News

King's focus is on value of health

THE King’s Christmas message will focus on the efforts of healthcare workers, following a year that saw Charles and the Princess of Wales treated for cancer.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024
Man denies CEO killing
Manchester Evening News

Man denies CEO killing

THE man accused of fatally shooting the chief executive of the United States health insurance provider UnitedHealthcare in New York yesterday pleaded not guilty to murder and terror charges, in a state case that will run parallel to his federal prosecution.

time-read
1 min  |
December 24, 2024