Fugitive gang kingpin ‘Pablo Picasso’ who lived high life in Dubai while directing criminal drug network in UK is jailed

A FUGITIVE drug kingpin who called himself “Pablo Picasso” and boasted of being a “cocaine artist” as he directed a criminal drug network from overseas has been jailed. Warren Barnes, 38, spent four-and-a-half years on the run living the high life in Dubai, Spain and Canada. Police found 182g of cocaine, more than 3kg of cannabis and thousands of pounds in cash after a criminal drug network was smashed Credit: GMP Warren Barnes, who called himself ‘Pablo Picasso’ and led the operation was jailed for 10 years and 6 months Credit: GMP While residing abroad, Barnes pulled the strings of a drugs and money laundering gang as he evaded authorities. He used “trusted associates” to oversee drug supply and move cash around the region, Greater Manchester Police said. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! But the brazen crook has now been locked up for over 10 years alongside two associates following a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court. Barnes’ co-defendants, father and son duo Paul and Adam Taylor, have also been handed prison sentences for their roles in the syndicate. The downfall of the criminal enterprise began in May 2023 when officers executed a warrant at Paul Taylor’s home. Members of the Salford Challenger team targeted the property belonging to the 49-year-old. Upon the arrival of the police, Taylor admitted that there were drugs inside the premises. A search uncovered 182g of cocaine, more than 3kg of cannabis, and £5,000 in cash while officers also seized scales and snap bags from the property. Most read in The Sun The illicit haul seized by the team had an estimated street value of over £45,000. An examination of a mobile phone revealed Paul Taylor had used encrypted communication platforms – operating under the username Del Boy. Detectives established he was in regular contact with Barnes, who used the handle “Pablo Picasso” and referred to himself as a “cocaine artist”. Messages proved Barnes directed Paul Taylor to supply class A and B drugs, manage finances, and instructed him on how to run cannabis farms while he was out of the country. Paul Taylor was jailed for 5 years 3 months in connection with Barnes’ operation Credit: GMP His son Adam Taylor was also jailed Credit: GMP Barnes was arrested in August last year after being stopped in Bolton, having spent four-and-a-half years on the run. He had failed to answer bail in relation to a conspiracy to produce cannabis charge dating back to 2015. Three mobile phones were seized from Barnes, two of which were encrypted. It emerged he had spent time in Dubai, Spain and Canada while continuing to direct his illicit operation while images showing his swanky life on the run abroad were also recovered. In total, Barnes is thought to have been responsible for “orchestrating the supply” of around 11kg of cocaine and about 159kg of cannabis. Debtor lists and evidence of cryptocurrency transactions “used to launder criminal proceeds” were found by investigators. Barnes, of no fixed address, was jailed for 10 years and six months. He was convicted of two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine); two counts of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (cannabis); one count of possession of a class A drug; one count of conspiring to produce a class B drug; one count of being concerned in the movement of money; and one count of possessing criminal property. Paul Taylor had roped in his son Adam, who was involved in the cultivation and maintenance of cannabis plants, said cops. Taylor, of Swinton, Salford, was jailed for five years three months. He was convicted of one count of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis; one count of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis; one count of being concerned in the production of cannabis; one count of being concerned in the movement of money; and one count of possessing criminal property. Adam Taylor, of Peel Green Road, Eccles, Salford, was jailed for three years. He was convicted of one count of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis and ketamine; one count of being concerned in the production of cannabis; and one count of possession with intent to supply cannabis. Police Constable Brown, of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: “This investigation exposed an organised crime group that relied heavily on trusted associates to facilitate the large-scale supply of illegal drugs and the laundering of criminal profits. “Despite spending years outside the UK, Barnes continued to direct offending from abroad, believing distance and encrypted communications would protect him from law enforcement. He was wrong. “The evidence gathered by investigators clearly demonstrated the scale of this operation and the roles played by those involved.”