Mon, 26 Feb 2018
John Butterfield QC of No5 Barristers’ Chambers has opened the case for the prosecution in a drugs trial that is expected to last six weeks at Worcester Crown Court.
The court heard that Mohammed Nasar was a drugs gang leader dubbed 'the puppet master' who orchestrated a conspiracy to bring cocaine in bulk to the streets of Worcester.
The gang included his son Aaqib Nasar, and lieutenants Steven Binning and Robert Degaris.
All four men deny being part of the conspiracy to supply the class A drug.
Opening the prosecution, Mr Butterfield QC said: "This is a case about drugs and drug dealers.
"It's about an organised crime gang that went about organised efforts to sell cocaine at a wholesale level to provide large, bulk amounts to divide up and sell to street users of drugs, to peddle the misery of drugs to line their own pockets."
He described Mohammed Nasar, who worked at Kwik Fit in Worcester, as the 'general' leading the network, getting his 'underlings' or 'foot soldiers' to do the dirty work and take the risks.
He would give the 'captain's armband' to his son when he was 'off the field of play' said Mr Butterfield.
He added: "He acted as a puppet master, working to keep off the stage and out of sight but completely responsible for pulling the strings."
Mr Butterfield described Aaqib Nasar as 'following in his father's footsteps, running the family business of selling cocaine'.
Mohammed Nasar, aged 50, of Keswick Drive, Warndon, Worcester and Robert Degaris, aged 48, of Popert Drive, Worcester, deny conspiring to supply cocaine in Worcester between January 1, 2015 and December 8, 2016 (count 1).
Mohammed Nasar, his son Aaqib, aged 22, of Bath Road, Worcester, and 35-year-old Steven Binning of Audley Drive, Kidderminster also stand accused of conspiring with Saheed Iqbal and others unknown to supply cocaine between January 1, 2015 and December 8, 2016 (count two).
Mohammed Nasar further denies conspiracy to transfer criminal property (cash) with Sarah Lancaster and others unknown (count three).
Mr Butterfield QC appears together with Sophie Murray from No5.
Follow the link to read a report of the trial so far on the Worcester News website: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/16038797.puppet-master-mohammed-nasar-led-worcester-cocaine-gang-court-hears/?ref=ar
John Butterfield QC and Sophie Murray are members of the Crime Group at No5.
