Jailed Drug Dealer Planned £9m Supply

Nathan Taylor, 38, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after admitting conspiracy to supply class A drugs (heroin and cocaine), class B drugs (cannabis and ketamine), and money laundering.

Taylor, who operated using the encrypted handles ‘surlycat’ and ‘lemonflicker’ on Encrochat devices, paid nearly £3 million for 89kg of cocaine, 1kg of heroin, and 5kg of ketamine between February 2020 and June 2020. The drugs had an estimated street value exceeding £9.1 million.

Detective Constable Daniel Riley of our Challenger team said: “Taylor thought he was above the law… operating behind technology to avoid detection… officers were tracking his words and ultimately used them against him.”

Taylor was arrested at his home in Marquess Way, Middleton in August 2021.

He pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Taylor’s downfall came after investigators cracked the encrypted Encrochat communication system, revealing his crucial role in the drug supply chain.

Detectives proved Taylor was behind the handles ‘surlycat’ and ‘lemonflicker’ through tattoo matching and geo-location data, despite no drugs being recovered.

Taylor received:

• 17 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs (heroin and cocaine)
• Concurrent 8-year sentences for conspiracy to supply class B drugs (cannabis and ketamine)
• A concurrent 5-year sentence for money laundering

The investigation also found that Taylor had paid:

• £2.95 million for the drugs
• Their approximate street value was £9.1 million

The case was investigated by our Challenger team in Tameside, which targets serious and organised crime.

If you have information about drug dealing or crime in your area, report it via:

• 101 (non-emergency police line)
• www.gmp.police.uk (online reporting tool)

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