Blackburn drug dealer spent three years on run from police

Christopher Ashurst, 36, was foiled by police in Blackburn after they infiltrated EncroChat messages being sent from the ‘Liberated Knife’ handle, which he was in control of between March and May 2020.

Ashurst moved to Spain and spent three years on the run there and in Mexico before he was found and arrested in Amsterdam in March this year and extradited back to the UK to face court proceedings.

Preston Crown Court heard how police first came to discover the EncroChat and subsequently the drugs operation after Ashurst, from Blackburn, reported his car had been damaged.

Christopher Ashurst (Image: Lancs Police)

The court was told how police then discovered messages had been sent from the Liberated Knife line referencing the importation of drugs, how drugs could be disguised in containers and boxes, and kilo weights being collected from London.

There were also messages discussing the transportation of the drugs and how operations had to be done in secret due to lockdowns and police being present on the motorways.

Prosecuting, Peter Wilson said: “There were conversations regarding cash of up to £75,000, and the sale of cocaine, cannabis and ketamine.

“There were also tick lists showing hundreds of thousands of pounds that needed to be collected.

“One tick list mentioned £4,500, and one £40,000, such was the difference.”

Mr Wilson said on March 30, Liberated Knife made reference to receiving kilos of cocaine which he could sell for £42,000, and wanting 1kg of ketamine delivered to Blackburn.

Throughout April the defendant, who appeared in court via video link from HMP Liverpool, was receiving images of heroin and discussing with others about the need for the heroin to be from Pakistan.

He was also informed he could get some Colombian cocaine of 93 per cent purity which could be sold for £37,000, or broken down and sold for much more.

Ashurst pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis, ketamine, cocaine and heroin.

In mitigation for Ashurst, Ryan Donoghue said his client was acting under the direction of others who used the handle ‘Tiger Stem’, and was not a leading role in the operation, but accepted he had played a significant role.

Mr Donoghue added: “He had some understanding of the scale of the operation, and I would submit he had a significant role.

"He’s clearly involved but is acting under other individuals.

“This is his first offence relating to drugs. This is not someone for whom crime has been a way of life.

“His remorse is expressed in the letter he has written to your Honour,  and he regrets becoming involved in the operation and recognises the impact it’s had on his family.

“He found himself getting involved in this shortly after a failed restaurant business near Accrington. This was a business which was hit by financial losses and then Covid.

“This led him to becoming engaged in the conduct he did through circumstance and lack of financial availability to him.”

Ashurst, of no fixed abode but currently in HMP Liverpool, was jailed for 10 years.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will take place later this year.

Det Sgt Stu Peall, of East Police, said: “Like many others who tried to hide behind EncroChat Ashurst mistakenly thought he could traffic drugs with impunity, under the radar of the police, but how wrong he was. Even after he fled the country, we remained determined to find him and bring him back to the UK to face justice. 

“We will continue to take the fight to criminals and ensure there are no safe spaces in Lancashire for serious and organised criminals, including those who seek to profit from a class A drugs trade which fuels violence and exploitation in our communities.”

“I hope this sentence sends a clear message to the public of our determination to rid communities of this sort of criminalisation and to make our streets safer.”