Self-proclaimed 'Bossman' jailed for 15 years

Waqar Hussain, 31, of Corbett Street, Rochdale, has been jailed for 15 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and diamorphine, possession of a firearm, possessing criminal property, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Hussain’s illicit enterprises began to unravel in September 2021 when a bailiff, working with neighbourhood police officers, recognised a VW Golf which had an unpaid DVLA fine against it. When officers examined the vehicle, it was found to be falsely registered, and the recovery process was initiated. As the vehicle was being loaded on to the recovery truck, Hussain approached officers claiming the vehicle belonged to a friend, before admitting the vehicle was actually his.

Hussain was advised to contact the recovery firm in order to sort the outstanding matters out, but suspicions were aroused when someone called the recovery company stating their child’s shoes were in the car and that they needed access. Police attended the DVLA compound and searched the vehicle, but no shoes were found, instead, £14,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin was discovered.

Later that year, detectives in Rochdale were investigating a string of gang related incidents, Waqar Hussain was on their radar.

A warrant executed at his home on Tuesday 7 December 2021 led police to discover a loaded firearm and an estimated £10k worth of class A drugs in his vehicle, stashed on top of a tailpipe.

In his bedroom, police found almost £18k cash, designer clothes, five fake Rolex watches, and two mobile phones which contained hundreds of messages and voice notes referencing drug dealing.

A key was also discovered during the search which led police to a local storage unit, revealing drugs paraphernalia including scales and discarded empty 1kg block wrappings – all of which indicated a large number of packages of class A drugs had been stored and adulterated in the unit.

 

 

During an interview on 7 December, Hussain gave no comment to everything, but had a prepared statement claiming he had been set up, and the gun and drugs in his car were nothing to do with him.

Extensive checks with HMRC evidenced Hussain had no recorded income between 2015 and 2022, so police were keen to find out where all the cash they had discovered had come from. A meticulous investigation by GMP Rochdale Challenger revealed the extent of his drug operation and secured his conviction.

Despite pleading guilty, Hussain disputed the prosecution’s assertion that he played a leading role in the conspiracy.

A hearing took place at Minshull Street Crown Court, on Monday 7 August 2023, where evidence was heard from both Hussain and a GMP drugs expert in relation to commercial supply methodology. Following the hearing, it was ruled that Hussain did in fact play a leading role in the conspiracy, placing him in the most serious category of offending.

Detective Chief Inspector Round from GMP Rochdale Challenger said: “The evidence in this case, coupled with Hussain’s desire to flaunt his lifestyle online, meant he had little choice but to plead guilty.  Hussain’s arrogance and brazen antics have ultimately led to his demise, and he now faces a long spell in prison without his beloved luxury amenities.”

“Officers involved in the case analysed 100s-of-gigabytes worth of mobile data, and provided a wealth of expert evidence which ultimately led Hussain to be sentenced in line with his actual role in the conspiracy.”

“Our work to remove such criminals from our streets and stop anyone from dealing drugs in our communities continues on a daily basis. I would ask anyone who has information about this kind of activity to come forward so we can take similar actions.”

If you have any information about drugs being sold or hidden in your area, report it online or by using the LiveChat service at www.gmp.police.uk. or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always call 999.