Zoe Drewett Thursday 2 Jul 2020 12:36 pm. Encrochat users don't use their real names, but false names, known as "handles". The major drug boss, who used the code name 'Bigmninee', was also known within the criminal underworld as a 'go-to man' for crooks who wanted guns. READ MORE: EncroChat drug boss panicked after cocaine market 'stood still' during lockdown. The major international sting involved a system . Keating admitted conspiring to supply 30kg of cocaine and large quantities of cannabis; Dillon admitted conspiring to supply 3kg of cocaine, large amounts of ketamine, and to supplying more than 500,000 of cannabis, and Garforth admitted conspiring to supply 10kg of cocaine. "Money man" Allan, who used the EncroChat handle "MessyZebra", was previously jailed for two years for dealing cannabis in 2005. Tom Duffy. Detectives discovered Dillon and Keating had used EncroChat to discuss the transfer of a "viable firearm" - referring to a pistol and revolver - and conspired with Garforth over the supply of Class A and B drugs. Three suspects accused of being part of an organised crime gang have appeared in court after police penetrated the secret messaging site EncroChat in Britain's biggest-ever crime bust.. So far, around 800 people, including some prominent crime figures, have been arrested from different parts in Europe using information acquired through EncroChat. His EncroChat handle was NormalAir, READ MORE: BT engineer's double life as EncroChat user 'Normalair' who bragged about lavish contacts in Dubai. In the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA), working with regional organised crime units, the Metropolitan Police and other law enforcement agencies, made more than 2,600 EncroChat-related arrests . Liam Garvey, 28, was arrested at his home on The Boulevard, Thatto Heath, St Helens on May 13 this year as part of the police operation targeting criminals who used the encrypted network. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer 'butterflyjuice' jailed for almost a decade. Skillen, who admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and failing to comply with a serious crime prevention order, was jailed for 15 years. This was also to be served consecutively to the drugs tariff he was already in jail for. Some of the evidence has been obtained by French police, who have intercepted many messages on the encrypted EncroChat programme used by criminal networks across the continent in recent months after breaching its . Customers were able to access features such as self-destructing messages, which deleted from the recipient's device after a certain amount of time. Lenehan had connections to Dubai and exchanged messages suggesting his influence may have stretched to India and Iran. Harding, who used the handle "MagicCider", sold heroin, cocaine and cannabis worth around 1.5million through the encrypted phone network. Geoff Green, the founder of legitimate encrypted phone company Myntex, previously described to Motherboard his interactions with Krusky and what appears to be the very early stages of EncroChat. READ MORE: 'Bagbangboomboom' Encrochat dealer raided by police, 41. A group of lawyers representing defendants in EncroChat related cases recently published an open letter in which they said their clients have not received fair trials due to the intense secrecy around how French military police carried out the technical operation against EncroChat. EncroChat - a network infiltrated by law enforcement to investigate organized crime in Europe; Ennetcom - a network seized by Dutch authorities, . An overview of the cases linked to the major investigation into the use of communications network EncroChat by the region's underworld, Get the latest crime reports and stories from Liverpool Echo straight to your inbox. Dillon and Keating also admitted conspiracy to transfer a firearm.. Keating was jailed for 22 years and five months; Dillon for 18 years; and Garforth for 15 years. Detectives identified the handprints of the 30-year-old, of Maud Street, Toxteth, on a photo he took showing him holding cannabis in his hand. The 43-year-old used the clandestine phone network to trade at least 12 kilos of cocaine and five kilos of heroin in just 10 weeks. . He was jailed for eight and a half years. Since then, while thousands of career criminals have been arrested, prosecuted or convicted as a result of incriminating phone messages sent over EncroChat, police have been seeking information about the networks operators. Investigators were able to access his contacts via an Encrochat phone. Image purporting to show drugs seized by police in a series of raids in SE London, Kent and Sussex yesterday (September 22). Police say many of the network's customers used the service to plot illicit schemes linked to drug dealing and, in some cases violence. Paul Krusky played a crucial role in the development of encrypted phone firm EncroChat. Encrochat: the top-secret network explained after the NCA helped hack phones of major crime figures and made arrests. He was jailed for eight years and 10 months. Two of the suspects have also been detained for possession of weapons. Dooley, 35, of no fixed address but from St Helens, was jailed for nine years after admitting conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs. The data from EncroChat has been a real boon to law enforcementorganized crime arrests in Germany soared by 17 percent following the police busts, and at least 2,800 people have been arrested . Michael Devine had shared details of his membership on the EncroChat encrypted messaging platform. Police also found a kilo of amphetamines in his basement, valued at 800 to 2,000, which when adulterated could have sold for up to 10,000. Ryan Mulcahy, 29, of Maregreen Road, Everton, was sentenced to six years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess/convert/acquire criminal property. EncroChat, which offered a secure mobile phone instant messaging service, was a "criminal marketplace" used by 60,000 people worldwide for coordinating the distribution of illicit goods, money . This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Amphetamine marked up with pictures of The Beano character Billy Whizz traded by an EncroChat drug gang based in St Helens, Christopher Dooley, 35, of no fixed address but from St Helens, James Ward, 32, of no fixed address but from Kirkby, Jamie Carlton, 40, of Church Road, Waterloo. READ MORE: Window cleaner became 'MajorFox' in EncroChat ring after business dried up, 50 - 51. Starting years ago in the Netherlands, Dutch police repeatedly arrested owners of firms that made PGP BlackBerrys, customised BlackBerry devices that had the ability to send encrypted emails. But when EncroChat was hacked last year, his use of his own children's initials as passwords helped lead detectives to his door. READ MORE: Dad who became Encrochat's 'go-to man' for drugs and guns, 49. READ MORE: Underworld banker 'MessyZebra' 'flicked' 1m of dirty cash for drug bosses. Jack Pritchard, 29, of Mavis Drive, Coppull, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs cocaine, and was sentenced to 10 years. An unidentified source associated with EncroChat . EncroChat dealer Nathan Harding was busted by police after sharing a photo of himself holding cannabis. Mark Dumbell, 30, of Warrington Road, Prescot, was sentenced to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine. Operation Eternal has been called 'the most significant operation the Met has ever launched against serious and organised crime', Stories from court and the latest breaking crime news sent right to your inbox. Harrison Laite used an Encrochat phone to supply multiple kilos of cannabis on the streets on Merseyside. The eight arrests are thought to be the first arrests of people involved in the setting up and running of EncroChat. London crime: Ealing thug caught hiding a shotgun when police raided Southall home; Read More Related Articles Pinnington was jailed for nine years and four months. Harding then used a new handle called "LesserHedge", to continue carrying out his criminal activity. Following today's guilty verdict, he will be sentenced on 4 January 2022 at . Two EncroChat drug dealers conspired to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis across Merseyside. David Blackburn - SuperBiking. READ MORE: Block of Stilton cheese led to the downfall of EncroChat drug dealer. The drugs boss talked about importation runs from Colombia, St Lucia and Brazil, and also discussed his love of poker. Jordan Hughes, 30, of Huyton, was sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to conspiring to supplying multi-kilos of heroin and cocaine. Craig O'Hare - also MagicCider. Investigators had been monitoring Keating, of Lunts Heath Road, Widnes, Garforth, of no fixed address, and Dillon, of Norlands Park, Widnes, for three months via the hacked EncroChat network. Photo credit: Reprieve. READ MORE: Dad moved 4.5m of cocaine and heroin for international drug lord. Not so that of 14-year-old Mohammed Al-Gharani, nabbed in Pakistan. Police infiltrated the network between at least March and June 2020 during a Europe-wide investigation. Anthony Lenehan, 57 and of Scarisbrick Road in Walton, was jailed for drugs and passport offences. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? The authorities seized over two tons of drugs, dozens of guns, and around 54m in cash. Police have arrested more than 700 suspects, seized 54m in cash and tonnes of drugs in the UK's "biggest and most significant" operation ever against organised crime.. Officials said . To join and get updates, click here and you can also follow Neil's Facebook page here. The 40-year-old, of Watergate Way, Woolton, acted as a gangland accountant and oversaw the counting or "flicking" of ill-gotten gains. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. Lenehan, of Scarisbrick Road in Walton, but who lived in Dubai until recently, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and making a false statement to gain a passport. His Encrochat handle was AtomicMantis and he was the first to be convicted on Merseyside as part of Operation Venetic. The 25-year-old, of Moss Way, Croxteth, sent text messages under the handle "LoadedSun" discussing the sale of 136,000 of cannabis. But it was EncroChat messages, recovered in April 2020, which gave officers the additional evidence to blow the lid on the network. Dutch police said the containers were found before they were used, and potential victims were now in hiding. Officers found handcuffs attached to the floors and ceilings of the structures, which had also been soundproofed. The UK has arrested more than 1,500 suspects since European detectives cracked an encrypted messaging service 10 months ago used by criminals to organise major drug smuggling operations and gangland hits. Anthony Connolly, 29, of Ellerman Road, Liverpool, was sentenced to 14 years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and conspiracy to possess/convert/acquire criminal property. 08 June 2021. Something went wrong, please try again later. Image: Merseyside Police. 11 October 2022 - French Criminal Division of the Court of Cassation provided a landmark ruling on evidence from hacked EncroChat. Amphetamine is commonly nicknamed speed, whizz and Billy Whizz - the latter after the famous character in the children's comic. READ MORE: 'Billy Whizz' EncroChat gang moved nearly 500,000 of speed, 52 -55. EncroChat messages showed 10 weeks of multi kilo trading between April 1 and June 13, 2020 but notes on Talbot and DampHedge's EncroChat devices showed the "full scale" of the scheme, dating back to January 2019. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has made 746 arrests and dismantled dozens of organized crime groups after intercepting millions of encrypted text . D.Wilkinson was handed a four years and eight sentence, while Aldred was jailed for two years and eight months. Jordan Hughes traded cocaine and heroin with crooks using names of Liverpool FC stars on EncroChat. EncroChat phones are among the most secure mobiles in the world Credit: YouTube Marketed as the "world's most secure handset", the device is popular among hitmen, drug lords and other major criminals. U.S. authorities charged him under RICO, a law traditionally reserved for crime bosses. The arrests are among 800 made across Europe after EncroChat messages were intercepted and decoded. Last modified on Thu 2 Jul 2020 15.45 EDT. The six-man crime group from Warrington, Manchester and Hertfordshire were all involved in supplying drugs worth almost a quarter of a million pounds. You can also sign up to our court newsletter here and get a twice weekly roundup of court cases sent your email inbox for free. The dad-of-two . The career criminal was executed by a masked cyclist while walking his dogs, after the gunman was alerted to his location by an EncroChat message. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. READ MORE: Encrochat dealer 'Magiccider' busted after posing for photo with cannabis, 37. He used the MagicCider handle between April to May 2020, before it was passed over to another dealer, his drug courier Craig O'Hare. Peter Heron was caught supplying cocaine and cannabis as part of the EncroChat hack. The suspects were arrested on 22 June following a Franco-Dutch operation to infiltrate the EncroChat encrypted phone system. READ MORE: EncroChat drug boss caused his own downfall after his joke texts. READ MORE: 'Bro we be multimillionaires in three months haha' boasted dealer. The 48-year-old, of Grosvenor Road in Wavertree, used the handle "TameWelder" on the secret phone network. Holgate admitted conspiring to supply ketamine, possessing criminal property and possessing amphetamine with intent to supply. Last month the CEO of a drug trafficking organisation known by his underworld alias Piet Costa, was jailed for 17 years for drug importation, money laundering and setting up torture chambers inside shipping containers found by Dutch police in July 2020. To get a behind the scenes look at how they work and the moments that don't make our stories, subscribe to our free weekly Echo Court Files newsletter, written by court reporter Neil Docking. North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) detectives launched an undercover surveillance operation in February 2020. Underworld banker Kevin Allan moved 1m of dirty cash for cocaine and cannabis bosses. The police have managed to establish the true identity of the users by analysing their individual messages and personal information. The Wirral crook - who had contacts in Portugal, Spain and Germany - shared details about his birthday and the dates of his father's death and funeral. Officers seized a gun, ammunition . Thousands of officers from the NCA, regional crime squads and every police force in the UK were involved in the international operation, which was launched in April. Now he has been arrested in the Dominican Republic. A gang who flooded Greater Manchester with cocaine, heroin, and cannabis are now behind bars - despite their extensive efforts to fool detectives who were wo. That helped detectives link Holgate to an EncroChat profile with the handle LoftyWizard and the supply of more than 50kg of ketamine, to five different contacts. Auckland, New Zealand +64-021-567-212 elephant rhyme to remember planets They found 26,710 in cash in a . He admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis and conspiring to convert criminal property, between December 29, 2019 and May 30, 2020. Police arrested Yasin on New Year's Eve, and he and around 20 others are suspects in the case, with several believed to be linked to the criminal gang known as the Vrby Network. But detectives swooped on the cocaine, heroin and cannabis dealer as he tried to cross the channel at Folkestone in Kent, on July 20, 2020. He was arrested in the Dominican Republic last month after police monitoring his movements realised he had become aware he was under surveillance and decided to act, according to the report. Last month two EncroChat users were given life terms in May after being convicted of plotting a murder on the network, while James Harding, a Dubai-based British man alleged to be the head of on an international crime network, was charged with conspiracy to murder and cocaine trafficking. His EncroChat handle was LaughingStorm. Roberts, 57, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. Do you know anything else about Encrochat or its owners? We'd love to hear from you. Encrochat, which charged 1,500 for a device on a six-month contract, sent out a warning to users in early June to say that its servers had been hacked by a government entity. The NCA and European partners shared data from the encrypted communication system EncroChat with the Met Police, which led them to make over 170 arrests and seize 13.4 million pounds in cash . In one container, they also discovered police clothing and bulletproof vests. Police also found a building in Rotterdam, which they believe was another criminal base. A series of large-scale law enforcement actions were executed over the past days across 16 countries resulting in more than 700 house searches, more than 800 arrests and the seizure of over 8 tons of cocaine, 22 tons of cannabis and cannabis resin, 2 tons of synthetic drugs (amphetamine and methamphetamine), 6 tons of synthetic drugs precursors, 250 firearms, 55 luxury vehicles and over $48 . Join more than 56,000 other people who are members of our Liverpool court cases and crime stories Facebook group and you'll get access to all the latest stories from court reporter Neil Docking. It will feature reports from Liverpool Crown Court and crime cases connected to Merseyside. The operation followed the infiltration of a the EncroChat encrypted communications network used by organised criminals to . There are other newsletters available too if you want them as well. 26-year-old Michael Townsend of Grant Road, Huyton was sentenced to six years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court today, Tuesday 9 February. NCA director of investigations Nikki Holland said: "This is the biggest and the most significant law enforcement operation of its kind in the UK and it is previously unmatched in terms of its scale.". Jordan Talbot - LittleNev, James Ward - StableToast, and Jamie Carlton - StaleSloth. According to Dame Cressida Dick, the UK Metropolitan Police Commissioner, He was jailed for 10 years and eight months. UK law enforcement has made a massive breakthrough in the fight against serious and organised crime after the takedown of a bespoke encrypted global communication service used exclusively by criminals. Hughes, 53, of Rock Lane, Widnes, was jailed for 10 and a half years after admitting conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs. He delivered at least 44 kilos of cocaine and stored hundreds of thousands of pounds of cash in his family home in Linkside Road. Law enforcement agencies around the world have increasingly targeted the creators and administrators of encrypted phone companies. The main target of the operation, according to the report, was a Canadian suspect called Paul K. Drugs linked to EncroChat dealer Michael Devine, from West Derby. A video posted online by police showed officers entering the containers, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Mother who killed her five children euthanised, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, US sues Exxon over nooses found at Louisiana plant, Coded hidden note led to Italy mafia boss arrest. Users of EncroChat were . Earlier this month Paul K's wife was also arrested, as were six other people suspected of being involved in the running of EncroChat, three in Spain and three in Dubai, the report adds. The BBC's Tom Symonds is shown how a customised Android phone with EncroChat installed works, Hundreds arrested as crime chat network cracked, Dutch police start true crime podcast to catch killer, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The Le Parisien report did not publish Paul Ks full name. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. An EncroChat drug gang moved nearly 500,000 of amphetamine branded with pictures of The Beano character Billy Whizz. In another, they located pruning shears, scalpels and balaclavas. The encrypted communications system was used by many high profile organised . Since the first EncroChat related busts began in 2020, the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) said police in Britain had so far arrested 2,864 people, prosecuted 1,571 and convicted 383with many receiving hefty sentences for large scale drug trafficking. The insight into his life allowed detectives to match the messages of EncroChat codenames "SneakyStem" and "WackySilver" to the 33-year-old. . At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. Harding was jailed for 18 years and five months. He used an EncroChat phone to update the drug bosses on their income, dealing with hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time. Gabriel meanwhile, aged 29 and of Bolam Close in Manchester, was given a jail sentence of 13 years and six . READ MORE: EncroChat dealer busted after being caught with 176kg caffeine haul. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer's empire crushed after he told contacts when his birthday was. A drug dealer who used two EncroChat handles was brought to justice. READ MORE: Dad's drug deals with 'BiggieSmalls' and 'SixTimesLFC' on EncroChat. But Europe Is Still Awash With Drugs. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. A Paul Krusky is listed as working for an ISP that had servers in Waterloo, Ontario, according to forum posts from 2002. He was arrested in April at Stansted Airport as he returned from Spain, where he had stayed for a few weeks. Detectives intercepted Alexander Keating, 30, and Dylan Garforth, 25, on Thursday, October 15, before they could depart for the continent. Moore, whose four previous convictions include a money laundering conspiracy, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin, from April to June last year. More than two tonnes of drugs, several dozen guns and 54m in suspect cash . Using a non-work phone or computer, you can contact Joseph Cox securely on Signal on+44 20 8133 5190, Wickr on josephcox, or emailjoseph.cox@vice.com. Threats detailed on the site included acid attacks and chopping off limbs. Gangs are believed to have used the devices to plot attacks on rival groups, plan ways of enforcing drug debts and arrange for money to be laundered. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. ", Liverpool salon owner providing 'safety net' for new beauticians, The female-run salon provides a 'safe space' for women, M&S shoppers praise 'lovely' 27.50 dress that's 'very flattering', One M&S shopper said: "Excellent dress and great fit. After locating the containers in April in Wouwse Plantage, near the Belgian border, police put the area under observation and found that multiple men were working on them almost every day. Devine, of Pete Best Drive, West Derby, was jailed for 17 years and three months after admitting conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracies to supply cocaine, heroin, amphetamines and ketamine. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. . When you've made your choice, press the Save Changes button at the bottom. O'Hare, 33, of Fairfield Avenue, Roby, transported drugs for Harding and supplied up to three kilos of Class A drugs and 10 kilos of cannabis. READ MORE: EncroChat dealers planned to flood Merseyside with Class A drugs. The 34-year-old, who also interchanged the spelling of his surname to "Badibango", was detained by detectives after a series of raids in Formby and another in Whiston, which led to him being taken into custody. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer bragged he'd use cocaine and heroin to fund house extension, 42. Value for money and would buy again. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer 'RecoveryMan' boasts about the quality of his 'Charlie', Gavin Jones, 42, of Houlgrove Road, Vauxhall was jailed for 14 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. What has emerged is a deliberate strategy in which law enforcement agencies not only target users of the devices, sometimes with highly technical operations that obtain the content of their messages, but also those who run the encrypted phone companies themselves. An EncroChat cocaine boss joked in texts about the hack that would later see him locked up. It's free, easy and takes no time at all. Once you're there, put your email address where it says at the top, then click on the Echo Court Files button. British law enforcement officials say they have made their biggest ever breakthrough against organised crime after hacking into an encrypted . When he finally pulled over, police searched the vehicle, revealing the huge quantity of caffeine, set to be used to adulterate ketamine, and 1,030 in cash. The organised crime group based in St Helens traded almost 50kg of amphetamine, but also flogged cocaine across the UK. Strachan was convicted of a conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs. A military-grade encrypted communication system called Encrochat, allegedly used by organised criminals trading in drugs and guns, was hacked by police and their partners. The 29-year-old planned to move abroad as soon as his licence period for a past sentence for trafficking cocaine expired.