Three men who flooded UK streets with millions of pounds worth of cocaine have been jailed. Jonathan Cassidy, Nasar Ahmed and Jamie Cassidy had been held in custody since 2020 when they were arrested after law enforcement agencies compromised the encrypted phone system they used to send messages called EncroChat. In total, it’s believed that they imported close to £26 million worth of cocaine into the UK, supplying users in north-west England, Birmingham and Leeds. Messages uncovered by Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Organised Crime Group revealed that “kingpin” Jonathan Cassidy compared himself and his criminal enterprise to that of El Chapo. The trio have been jailed for over 51 years and a manhunt is under way for one more suspect, Joshua Avis. Watch more on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/editors-picks Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: null Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com/ Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB