A NOTORIOUS drug baron tried to dupe police by opening a bank account — and now faces being returned to jail.
Curtis Warren, 61, is suspected of trying to gain access to cash, phones and cars.
His alleged attempt to open the Zempler account came just before he was given a suspended jail term for breaches of a serious crime prevention order.
It would have been another breach and was reported to police.
The National Crime Agency is said to be investigating and the brazen move could land Warren, who was freed from a 13-year prison term in November 2022, back behind bars.
Liverpool-born Warren, nicknamed Cocky, ran a multi-million-pound drugs empire in the 1990s and has dozens of convictions.
While serving his latest sentence at HMP Frankland, he began an affair with prison officer Stephanie Smithwhite, 45.
She was so infatuated with Warren that she got a tattoo of his name. She was later jailed.
Under the terms of the crime order imposed on his release, Warren must notify the NCA of all his commercial interests and cannot use proxies to avoid scrutiny of his affairs.
But on August 27, he was given a 14-month sentence — suspended for 18 months — after admitting six breaches.
Police were said to have uncovered a Barclays account and credit card.
The next day, he was reported for trying to open the Zempler account using a Liverpool address linked to Ms Smithwhite.
The NCA said: “We will actively monitor all those subject to such orders and take action where it is appropriate to do so.”
