A DRUGS kingpin nicknamed ‘The Fats Man’ has been ordered to pay again £630,000 by a decide after he splashed soiled money on luxurious vehicles and Rolex watches.
Thomas Maher, 42, used a haulage enterprise as cowl to maneuver medication and cash and was caged for 14 years and eight months in December 2020.
Haulage boss Thomas Maher led a double life as a drug baron
Maher had a watch assortment value £600,000
He owned a fleet of supercarsCredit score: PA
The Irishman purchased a chunk of £20,000 artwork constructed from bullets whereas in Dubai
Throughout a seven month surveillance operation officers from the Nationwide Crime Company, generally known as the UK’s FBI, watched Maher meet with criminals at motels and eating places throughout the North West area.
Maher got here onto the NCA’s radar after he was arrested as a part of the investigation into the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a lorry in Purfleet in October 2019.
The tractor unit concerned had at one level been owned by Maher.
Maher was launched with no additional motion taken by Essex Police, however an NCA monetary investigation revealed that regardless of him and his spouse being on lower than minimal wage for tax functions, they lived an opulent way of life.
Throughout their investigation officers realised that Maher was concerned within the trafficking of cocaine from the Netherlands to the UK and Eire.
The NCA additionally realised Maher was an enormous fan of quick meals, with a penchant for connoisseur burgers delivered to his entrance door.
The NCA raided his Warrington residence on June 13, 2020, fter receiving intelligence that he deliberate to flee the UK.
Maher had a set of flash vehicles on the drive together with an SUV and an American type muscle automotive.
The partitions of his residence have been adorned with garish artwork. Maher, who had a set of watches and gold ingots from Dubai, now has three months to pay or faces an additional six years in jail.
Maher was snared by the NCA resulting from his use of the Encrypted telephone community generally known as EncroChat.
Police in France managed to hack the community, which supplied forces throughout Europe with entry to messages between skilled criminals.
The NCA quickly realised that Maher was a facilitator for a robust Irish crime group with worldwide connections.
Maher despatched messages which revealed he was concerned in shifting medication around the globe, and mentioned competitors he confronted from rival gangs.
Maher, who lived within the suburbs of Warrington, was additionally charging a fee for his involvement within the motion of soiled money.
Maher additionally despatched messages which revealed he needed Hughes attacked inside the jail system for embroiling him within the Purfleet tragedy.
The NCA acted on the messages to make sure Hughes was made protected.
Maher was sentenced to 14 years and eight months in jail in December 2020 for medication and cash laundering.
Maher, initially from County Offaly, had been charged with conspiracy to trigger grievous bodily hurt in relation to the messages he despatched about Hughes.
He denied the cost and Liverpool Crown court docket dominated for the cost to put on file.
The NCA’s Head of Asset Denial, Rob Burgess, stated: “This vital outcome demonstrates the company’s potential to get well legal belongings, and stop criminals from benefiting from their wrongdoing.
Maher was arrested however by no means charged over the killing of 39 Vietnamese migrants in a lorry container
Rolex belonging to MaherCredit score: SWNS