A DRUG lord who called himself El Shepo after Mexico’s El Chapo has been jailed for 25 years.

       Ian Shepherd, 44, was the head of a nationwide drugs ring which flooded the UK with cocaine and heroin.

       4

       Ian Shepherd, who nicknamed himself El Shepo, was the head of a nationwide drugs ring which flooded the UK with cocaine and heroin Credit: SWNS 4

       Cartel boss Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman was recaptured in 2016 and extradited to the US where he is serving a life sentence Credit: Reuters

       The dad of three toured the country in a humble ￡15,000 Citroen Berlingo to meet other dealers and criminals.

       He put the van up for sale in 2018 and it was bought by an undercover police officer.

       It was found to have a secret hideaway used to stash drugs.

       Officers tracked the gang and arrested an accomplice as he tried to hide cocaine and heroin in woods.

       A home belonging to Shepherd’s mum-in-law was raided in May 2019.

       Drugs, ￡2,000 cash and a gun linked to him through DNA were found, Manchester crown court heard.

       Most read in News

       SORT IT OUT OR GO PM told 'sort it out or step aside' as fury erupts over No10 garden party

       DOG WARNING Urgent warning for dog owners to avoid beach as more than 150 pets get sick

       'CATASTROPHIC' Moment lorry driver looking at X-rated sites kills three in fireball smash

       NO-SHOW BORIS Grieving MPs in tears as they demand answers over No 10 'lockdown party'

       Analysis of phones showed Shepherd, of Liverpool, had nicknamed himself El Shepo.

       He initially denied conspiracy to supply — plus the gun and explosives offences — but changed his plea two weeks before trial.

       Shepherd got involved in the gang as a way to fund a house, the court heard.

       Cartel boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, 64, was recaptured in 2016 and extradited to the US where he is serving a life sentence.

       4

       A court heard that a gun linked to Shepherd through DNA was found during a raid on a home belonging to his mum-in-law in May 2019 Credit: SWNS 4

       Officers tracked the gang and arrested an accomplice as he tried to hide drugs in woods - pictured 1kg of heroin that was discovered by police Credit: SWNS

       Man injured after El Chapo's nephew 'El Guanito' filmed spraying nightclub with bullets - but 'outnumbered' cops decline to make arrest