Townsend was convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis and acquire/use/possess criminal property. READ MORE: Encrochat dealer 'Magiccider' busted after posing for photo with cannabis, 37. #encro Three men have been arrested in London and two in Western Sydney following the seizure of 450 kilos of MDMA hidden within an excavator that was shippe. The 38-year-old, from Bury, used the EncroChat encrypted phone network to bring 'at the very least' 84.5 kilos of cocaine and 59 kilos of heroin. Police infiltrated the network between at least March and June 2020 during a Europe-wide investigation. READ MORE: Underworld banker 'MessyZebra' 'flicked' 1m of dirty cash for drug bosses. 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. Read More Related Articles. So far, around 800 people, including some prominent crime figures, have been arrested from different parts in Europe using information acquired through EncroChat. British authorities have arrested 746 suspects, seized tens of millions in cash, dozens of firearms and high-value cars, 2 tonnes of drugs, and even grenades in the country's "biggest ever law enforcement operation". He used EncroChat under the name of 'Big Tyson'. Mr Horne described it as a "command and control . He delivered at least 44 kilos of cocaine and stored hundreds of thousands of pounds of cash in his family home in Linkside Road. The suspects were arrested on 22 June following a Franco-Dutch operation to infiltrate the EncroChat encrypted phone system. He was jailed for eight years and 10 months. 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. Try for 30 days ( free of charge) the DigitalBank Vault SuperEncryption System . Then last year, U.S. authorities also charged Jean-Francois Eap, the CEO of the largest encrypted phone company called Sky Global, with similar offenses. Details of the arrests were first published in French newspaper Le Parisien. The 25-year-old, of Moss Way, Croxteth, sent text messages under the handle "LoadedSun" discussing the sale of 136,000 of cannabis. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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.. 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 . Following a police hack of the EncroChat network, officers were able to link the 45-year-old to the phone, on which he discussed smuggling hundreds of kilograms of cocaine on boats. U.S. authorities charged him under RICO, a law traditionally reserved for crime bosses. 746 arrests were made in the UK alone. Carl Stewart, 39, of Gem Street, Liverpool was sentenced to 13 years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, MDMA, ketamine and transferring criminal property. It's free, easy and takes no time at all. British law enforcement officials say they have made their biggest ever breakthrough against organised crime after hacking into an encrypted . Michael Devine had shared details of his membership on the EncroChat encrypted messaging platform. 2023 BBC. READ MORE: Gun thugs and gangland brothers jailed for botched underworld shooting, Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here, Raids carried out as part of the EncroChat probe Operation Venetic. Shaun Harrison, 33, of South Street, Thatto Heath, was sentenced to 10 years eight months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Paul Krusky played a crucial role in the development of encrypted phone firm EncroChat. READ MORE: EncroChat dealers 'Laughingstorm', 'Kindtailor' and 'Wiredfork' see empires crumble after hack. The dad-of-two . Townsend was convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis and acquire/use/possess criminal property. Drugs linked to EncroChat dealer Michael Devine, from West Derby. He was jailed for six years and eight months. Liam Hughes, 24, of Robson Street, Everton, was sentenced to 14 years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs (cocaine and heroin); conspiracy to supply Class B drugs (cannabis and conspiracy to possess/convert/acquire criminal property. Encrochat users don't use their real names, but false names, known as "handles". Officers searched his home in St Ambrose Close, Anfield and found an EncroChat phone box, containing the password to the device, written on a piece of paper. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Steven Strachan, 49, of School Lane, Bidston, was sentenced to six years in prisoners. READ MORE: Taxi driver's secret life as 'NuttyLeopard' EncroChat drug dealer. David Pinnington, 39, was arrested at his home in Rushey Hey Road, Kirkby after being identified as the user of the "LoftyHail" handle on the secret phone network. Law enforcement agencies around the world have increasingly targeted the creators and administrators of encrypted phone companies. Michael Townsend,26, of Grant Road, Huyton was sentenced to six years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, February 9. The operation followed the infiltration of a the EncroChat encrypted communications network used by organised criminals to . Threats detailed on the site included acid attacks and chopping off limbs. Once you're there, put your email address where it says at the top, then click on the Echo Court Files button. Image: Merseyside Police. Two drug dealers involved in a huge cocaine plot were arrested as they tried to board a flight to Spain at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. A video posted online by police shows officers arresting the suspects and also entering the containers. When contacted by VICE World News, Europol said it could not confirm the arrests because they are part of an ongoing operation, and expressed frustration that details of the arrests had been published in French media. He used an EncroChat phone to update the drug bosses on their income, dealing with hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time. READ MORE: EncroChat dealers planned to flood Merseyside with Class A drugs. Demand for the devices soared as law enforcement officials shut down older, rival encrypted networks, including one called EncroChat that was dismantled in July 2020 and another, Sky Global, that . READ MORE: EncroChat dealer busted after being caught with 176kg caffeine haul. There are other newsletters available too if you want them as well. More than 100 people have now been charged by the Met Police as part of Operation Eternal. The system also had a panic wipe, which meant all data could be removed from the device by entering a four-digit code from the lock-screen. Luxton dealt in various class A drugs and said he 'remained in the game' after 380,000 worth of drugs was stolen and he had to repay the debt to 'TopsKing'. From drug dealers caught through their love of cheese to major drugs operators who supported shooting plots, this is an overview of 60 of the cases the region had heard about so far. "Money man" Allan, who used the EncroChat handle "MessyZebra", was previously jailed for two years for dealing cannabis in 2005. Nathan Harding - MagicCider and LesserHedge and 36. Police intercepted . Roberts, of Circular Drive, Greasby, Wirral was sentenced to 10 years and six months. Adam Lonergan, 30, of Rydal Avenue in Prescot, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months for conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis between March 29 and June 5 and possession with intent to supply amphetamine. Steven Nicholls, 41, of Ibbotson Lane, Aigburth, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit arsons with intent, conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, and transferring criminal property. 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. Sean Skinner, 41, of Nightingale Vale, Greenwich SE18, was arrested on June 19, 2020. He was jailed for 10 years and eight months. Baker was arrested on 22 April 2021. More than two tonnes of drugs, several dozen guns and 54m in suspect cash . The arrests are among 800 made across Europe after EncroChat messages were intercepted and decoded. We'd love to hear from you. He was jailed for nine years and nine months. The 29-year-old planned to move abroad as soon as his licence period for a past sentence for trafficking cocaine expired. Bradley Luxton laughed with a fellow drug dealer that they would need 'loads of Skys' - an alternative platform to EncroChat. READ MORE: EncroChat drug boss boasted he made 20K before 8pm. Read about our approach to external linking. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Arrested 133 people Charged 101 people Seized 4 loaded firearms and ammunition Seized 72 kgs of cocaine and heroine Seen 31 people convicted to a total of 366 years in prison 1.6M in cash And this is just the beginning, with more activity and arrests to come in the coming months. Several Scots household names are said to have been rounded up after a major crackdown on the EncroChat phone encryption network, leading to multiple arrests. Isaac Rasmussen, 28, from Heath Road Widnes, previously from the Huyton area was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiring to fraudulently evade prohibition on the import of Class A drugs and conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the import of Class B drugs. Jordan Talbot was exposed as EncroChat boss "LittleNev" - a leader of a plot involving "at least" 500kg of Class A drugs. 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. Transform any Android device or Windows Laptop into an Unbreakable Encrypti. . Alan, formerly of Regency Park, Widnes, was sentenced to a further eight years for conspiracies to cause GBH with intent to both Liam Byrne Jnr and Liam Byrne Snr. Krusky appears to have a background working with internet service providers, according to forum posts and archived webpages. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer 'LovelyGiant' used 'key worker' to ferry cocaine in lockdown. Simon Roberts - MajorFox and FanaticFirm. 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. . Read about our approach to external linking. It was used primarily by organized crime members to plan criminal activities. Ricardo Hughes, aka EncroChat user "NovaCoast", and Christopher Dooley, aka "OctoOx", were identified as key players in the plot. North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) detectives launched an undercover surveillance operation in February 2020. 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. Jordan Quinn, 31, of Valiant Close, West Derby, was sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and ketamine and possession of criminal property. He supplied large quantities of cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamines around the country and was arrested in September last year. Texts showed he discussed the sale of cocaine and heroin with an estimated wholesale value of 521,000, plus 193 kilos of cannabis, worth around 1m. Six men have been arrested in the Netherlands following the discovery of seven shipping containers converted into cells and torture chambers. READ MORE: EncroChat cocaine boss with international links asked dealers to call him 'Jethawk'. Two EncroChat drug dealers conspired to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis across Merseyside. EncroChat dealer Nathan Harding was busted by police after sharing a photo of himself holding cannabis. 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. Gabriel meanwhile, aged 29 and of Bolam Close in Manchester, was given a jail sentence of 13 years and six . Pinnington was jailed for nine years and four months. The six-man crime group from Warrington, Manchester and Hertfordshire were all involved in supplying drugs worth almost a quarter of a million pounds. In another, they located pruning shears, scalpels and balaclavas. 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. 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 . 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. READ MORE: Secret gang messages of SnowEmu, SacredMask and MancJoey that brought them down, Jordan Alvis, 35, of Trent Close, West Derby, was sentenced to nine years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply ketamine and heroin and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. In one container, they also discovered police clothing and bulletproof vests. The organised crime group based in St Helens traded almost 50kg of amphetamine, but also flogged cocaine across the UK. David Williams, 39, of Limekiln Lane, Vauxhall, was jailed for 13-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. An EncroChat drug gang moved nearly 500,000 of amphetamine branded with pictures of The Beano character Billy Whizz. Ward went by the name "StableToast", Carlton used the handle "StaleSloth", and another Merseyside man - who is still at large - was called "DampHedge". The containers were located in Wouwse Plantage, south of Rotterdam, after French police cracked encrypted phones used by criminals. O'Hare was jailed for six and a half years. Paul Krusky played a crucial role in the development of encrypted phone firm EncroChat. Hughes, 53, of Rock Lane, Widnes, was jailed for 10 and a half years after admitting conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs. The above nine . 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. The EncroChat Hack Was Hailed as a Major Coup Against Gangsters. Heron was arrested at his home in July this year and admitted conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property. Thomas Brabbins, 28, of Cherry Tree Road, Huyton, was sentenced to seven years six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to supply and two counts of possession of criminal property and possession of cannabis. Dentith, 29, of College View, Huyton, was sentenced to 17 years three months after pleading guilty to supply cocaine and ecstasy. But when EncroChat was hacked last year, his use of his own children's initials as passwords helped lead detectives to his door. . John, formerly of Manor Road in Prescot, was handed two and a half years for participating in the activities of an organised crime group. When you've made your choice, press the Save Changes button at the bottom. Cocaine dealer William Skillen was linked to a sinister drug gang who threatened to "chop off ears" and batter an OAP in a 500,000 robbery plot. The identity of the crook who has adopted the name of the Reds' Brazilian shot stopper on the secret phone network remains a mystery. Tom Duffy. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has made 746 arrests and dismantled dozens of organized crime groups after intercepting millions of encrypted text . Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. They are just choosing to spend it more cautiously. 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. Harding, who used the handle "MagicCider", sold heroin, cocaine and cannabis worth around 1.5million through the encrypted phone network. 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. 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. READ MORE: Gang's 'eye watering' cocaine plot recorded on Excel spreadsheets. For reasons unknown he was then released. In some of those cases the charges stemmed around the owners alleged participation in money laundering. 800+ arrests, seizure of 40 tons of drugs, 250 guns, 55 luxury cars, and over $148 million in currencies and cryptocurrencies: . Brian Marshall, 46, of Robson Street, Everton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs cocaine, and was sentenced to 10 years. He was brought down by an investigation that led to police storming his home on Park Road North in Birkenhead, as well as two container units in the town, in June, when they seized a Rolex watch and 82,000 in cash. The 28-year-old, of Shayfield Road in Manchester, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. 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. His Encrochat handle was Milliondolla. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer bragged he'd use cocaine and heroin to fund house extension, 42. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. READ MORE: Dealer 'Vilecrusher' told police: 'Anyone whos had those Encros is f***ing going'. Liverpool's courts are some of the busiest in the UK, with a huge variety of cases being heard each week. 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 . But when the secret messaging service was cracked by police last year, EncroChat users and their illicit dealings were uncovered. 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. Eight men aged between 21-47 and a 26-year-old woman. Hundreds of other EncroChat users have been arrested across Europe. READ MORE: 'Bro we be multimillionaires in three months haha' boasted dealer. Warning issued to drivers travelling home for Christmas over new motorway rule, EncroChat drug boss panicked after cocaine market 'stood still' during lockdown, Gang's 'eye watering' cocaine plot recorded on Excel spreadsheets, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs, Block of Stilton cheese led to the downfall of EncroChat drug dealer, Go to our dedicated newsletter page at this link, EncroChat dealers 'Laughingstorm', 'Kindtailor' and 'Wiredfork' see empires crumble after hack, Dad moved 4.5m of cocaine and heroin for international drug lord, BT engineer's double life as EncroChat user 'Normalair' who bragged about lavish contacts in Dubai, EncroChat dealer 'LovelyGiant' used 'key worker' to ferry cocaine in lockdown, EncroChat dealer 'RecoveryMan' boasts about the quality of his 'Charlie', 'Bro we be multimillionaires in three months haha' boasted dealer, click on this link to our newsletter sign-up centre, EncroChat drug boss boasted he made 20K before 8pm, 'Milliondolla' EncroChat user said he had cocaine 'coming out me ears', EncroChat boss 'KeySilver' stockpiled drugs over lockdown fears, Taxi driver's secret life as 'NuttyLeopard' EncroChat drug dealer, Dealer 'Vilecrusher' told police: 'Anyone whos had those Encros is f***ing going', Businessman was drug boss 'FastSilver' flogging Orange Cream, Stardog, Gelato and Jaffa, EncroChat dealer nicknamed 'coastalsummer' tried to flee naked through window in raid, EncroChat dealers planned to flood Merseyside with Class A drugs, Dad's drug deals with 'BiggieSmalls' and 'SixTimesLFC' on EncroChat, discussing the sale of 136,000 of cannabis, Encrochat 'Loadedsun' dealer jailed after returning from Spain, Encrochat dealer 'Magiccider' busted after posing for photo with cannabis, EncroChat dealer's empire crushed after he told contacts when his birthday was, Gang threatened to 'chop off ears' and hold iron to chest of pensioner, EncroChat drug boss caused his own downfall after his joke texts, EncroChat dealer bragged he'd use cocaine and heroin to fund house extension, EncroChat dealer boasted of 'mayday' airport smuggling scheme, EncroChat dealer 'butterflyjuice' jailed for almost a decade, Underworld banker 'MessyZebra' 'flicked' 1m of dirty cash for drug bosses, EncroChat dealer busted after being caught with 176kg caffeine haul, EncroChat cocaine boss with international links asked dealers to call him 'Jethawk', EncroChat dealer 'Tamewelder' caught with ten kilos of cocaine and weed, Dad who became Encrochat's 'go-to man' for drugs and guns, Window cleaner became 'MajorFox' in EncroChat ring after business dried up, 500,000 of amphetamine branded with pictures of The Beano character Billy Whizz, 'Billy Whizz' EncroChat gang moved nearly 500,000 of speed, 27m drug boss caught fleeing to Spain in BMW with girlfriend after spending spree, EncroChat dealers 'Wealthymace' and 'Dior Ice' caught at Liverpool airport before Spain flight, Gun thugs and gangland brothers jailed for botched underworld shooting, Man runs for his life as gunman shoots him in the leg, All the people who walked free from Liverpool's courts in 2021, ITV Loose Women's Carol McGiffin explains appearance change as fans concerned, The panelist lifted the lid on her "drama", Emmerdale fans taken aback as Lucy Pargeter shares real age, The Chas Dingle star has appeared in Emmerdale since 2002, Deserted shopping centre with 'no shops' left used to be biggest in Europe, Runcorn Shopping City has lost plenty of shops in recent years, Coronation Street fans demand to know where they've seen newcomer before, Many viewers took to social media to ask where they recognised Sarah Platt's new business partner from, Good Morning Britain's Ben Shephard warns Kate Garraway 'could be jailed' after career confession, The Tipping Point presenter was in hysterics as he aimed a cheeky jibe at his co-host, Bent system cost Merseyside town thousands when asking for Government help, Sefton Council has had to self fund its most recent and unsuccessful Levelling Up Fund bids while other Merseyside areas received money to prepare applications, Gogglebox's Giles Wood 'retired at 21' thanks to lucrative second job, The Gogglebox star joined the show in 2015, Drivers at risk of a 1,000 fine for these simple number plate mistakes, Motorists could be slapped with a 1,000 fine, 'Pubs need to adapt' if they are going to survive the times ahead, "Although we are living during a cost-of-living crisis people still do have money. It will feature reports from Liverpool Crown Court and crime cases connected to Merseyside. Alexander Keating, 30, of Lunts Heath Road, Widnes. The encrypted communications system was used by many high profile organised . Simon Roberts became a "trusted" member of a large-scale drugs gang after his window cleaning business dried up. He was arrested in April at Stansted Airport as he returned from Spain, where he had stayed for a few weeks. Simon Roberts, 57, of Circular Drive, Greasby, was sentenced to 10 years and six months after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. According to Dame Cressida Dick, the UK Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Kevin Daniels handled 1.5m of dirty cash for a drug boss who used the name of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker on EncroChat. 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. 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. Marsh was linked to the distribution of 25 kilos of cocaine, 110 kilos of cannabis and one kilo of ketamine. Carlton had been involved in transporting 20kg of Class A drugs from May 1, 2020 for five or six weeks. 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. However, according to a cache of emails previously obtained by VICEs Motherboard and information from a source who interacted with EncroChat this name likely refers to Paul Krusky, a Canadian tech expert who Motherboard has found was integral to the early development and running of EncroChat. H. undreds of suspected criminals have been arrested worldwide after being tricked into using an FBI encrypted messaging service. The hacking of the network was compared to cracking the enigma code by Nikki Holland, then director of investigations at the NCA. Alan Tobin was sentenced to 20 years in jail and John received a 19 year and eight month sentence following a Cheshire Police probe linked to the seizure of 186kg of cocaine. He was caught when police recovered text messages from the EncroChat network. A drug dealer who used two EncroChat handles was brought to justice. ", Virgil van Dijk makes 'nervous' plea to Liverpool fans before Man United clash, The Dutchman has called on players and fans to come together to help the team get over the line against the Red Devils on Sunday, 'I am spared' - Amadou Onana shares Everton fan theory and makes 'mythical' claim, The Belgium international has built a rapport with Everton supporters while impressing since his summer move from France, 'Stunning' former rectory transformed into modern 1m home, The house dates back to 1880 and includes a lot of period features, Family wrongly kicked out of Mother Goose panto give their review, John's wife was "in tears" as they were escorted out of the auditorium by staff and security, Schoolboy has 'little time left' after mum noticed 'lopsided smile', "There was no longer a cure they could offer him and time was very limited. Peter Heron was caught supplying cocaine and cannabis as part of the EncroChat hack. A Paul Krusky is listed as working for an ISP that had servers in Waterloo, Ontario, according to forum posts from 2002.