746 arrests were made in the UK alone. 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. 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. He was jailed for 12 years. Faces and codenames of EncroChat criminals linked to Merseyside He has now been charged over firearms offences, and being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs . It's free, easy and takes no time at all. The 48-year-old, of Grosvenor Road in Wavertree, used the handle "TameWelder" on the secret phone network. 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. 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. They were both then sentenced in connection to a gangland shooting in Warrington. Six arrested after 'Dutch torture chambers' found - BBC News 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. Many have been through Liverpool Crown Court this year after their crimes were exposed. Garvey, who used the EncroChat handles "ChopperReid" and "ButterflyJuice" admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine, conspiring to produce cannabis, and possessing cannabis. 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. 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. Hundreds arrested as crime chat network cracked - BBC News READ MORE: Dad moved 4.5m of cocaine and heroin for international drug lord. It is not clear what charges Paul Krusky faces in his role with EncroChat. When you've made your choice, press the Save Changes button at the bottom. Value for money and would buy again. NCA and police smash thousands of criminal conspiracies after #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 dad-of-two . The suspects were arrested on 22 June following a Franco-Dutch operation to infiltrate the EncroChat encrypted phone system. 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. 1) Go to our dedicated newsletter page at this link. 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 . British authorities have arrested more than 2,600 people and seized about 14 tonnes of drugs using intelligence gathered after cracking a secret messaging service used by criminals to organise smuggling operations. 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. British law enforcement officials say they have made their biggest ever breakthrough against organised crime after hacking into an encrypted . Dean Deary, 39, of Pinehurst Avenue, Anfield, was sentenced to 12 years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, ketamine and cannabis. 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. Encrochat users don't use their real names, but false names, known as "handles". 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Two of the suspects have also been detained for possession of weapons. EncroChat, which has now been taken down, was based in France and had an estimated 60,000 subscribers. Inside top-secret 3k-a-year EncroChat phone system used by UK's 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. 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. EncroChat - Wikipedia Anthony Lenehan, 57 and of Scarisbrick Road in Walton, was jailed for drugs and passport offences. The single text that sent shockwaves through UK crime - mirror Photo credit: Reprieve. They both supplied both Class A cocaine and Class B amphetamine. U.S. authorities charged him under RICO, a law traditionally reserved for crime bosses. READ MORE: Dad's drug deals with 'BiggieSmalls' and 'SixTimesLFC' on EncroChat. Image purporting to show drugs seized by police in a series of raids in SE London, Kent and Sussex yesterday (September 22). Craig O'Hare - also MagicCider. Hundreds Of 'Mr And Mrs Bigs' Arrested After Police Hack 'Military So far, around 800 people, including some prominent crime figures, have been arrested from different parts in Europe using information acquired through EncroChat. A drug dealer who used two EncroChat handles was brought to justice. Jordan Hughes, 30, of Huyton, was sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to conspiring to supplying multi-kilos of heroin and cocaine. 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. 2023 BBC. There are others on what's on, politics, court news, Knowsley, Wirral, and arts & culture, as well as both Liverpool FC and Everton FC. Adam Dalby (Image: Essex Police) Golding was given 12 years in jail, while Thurgood was handed eight for being Golding right-hand man in the criminal network. Dutch police said the containers were found before they were used, and potential victims were now in hiding. Five of the men also conspired to commit a robbery in which they planned to tie up the victims at their home and cut off the ear of one of them. Investigators were able to access his contacts via an Encrochat phone. D.Wilkinson was handed a four years and eight sentence, while Aldred was jailed for two years and eight months. Peter Heron, 48, of Grosvenor Road in Wavertree. 31 people sentenced to 366 years in prison in first year after Drugs gang who went under the names of 'Golden Harbour', 'Butch Hippo' and 'Amused Penguin' on encrypted EncroChat network and sold at least 6kg of 'high quality' cocaine are jailed for 18 years This is the warning that sent shockwaves through Britain's criminal underworld after police penetrated an encrypted phone network for 'untouchable' crime bosses. READ MORE: Encrochat 'Loadedsun' dealer jailed after returning from Spain, 35. Anom app designed by FBI ensnares alleged criminals as police make more 26-year-old Michael Townsend of Grant Road, Huyton was sentenced to six years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court today, Tuesday 9 February. 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. 14 Encrochat dealers and the nicknames they used to avoid police Simon Roberts - MajorFox and FanaticFirm. 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. His Encrochat handle was Milliondolla. 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. It operated on customised Android phones and, according to its website, provided "worry-free secure communications". 08 June 2021. Ward went by the name "StableToast", Carlton used the handle "StaleSloth", and another Merseyside man - who is still at large - was called "DampHedge". He was jailed for 15 years and nine months. Hughes, 53, of Rock Lane, Widnes, was jailed for 10 and a half years after admitting conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs. Law enforcement arrests hundreds after compromising encrypted chat READ MORE: 'Milliondolla' EncroChat user said he had cocaine 'coming out me ears'. READ MORE: EncroChat drug boss boasted he made 20K before 8pm. 11 October 2022 - French Criminal Division of the Court of Cassation provided a landmark ruling on evidence from hacked EncroChat. 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. EncroChat dealer George Marsh 's international crime network was destroyed by personal messages he sent to his contacts. The main target of the operation, according to the report, was a Canadian suspect called Paul K. 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. They are just choosing to spend it more cautiously. READ MORE: Dealer 'Vilecrusher' told police: 'Anyone whos had those Encros is f***ing going'. 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 eight arrests are thought to be the first arrests of people involved in the setting up and running of EncroChat. . More than 100 people have now been charged by the Met Police as part of Operation Eternal. A judge said it was an "extremely grave offence" as he jailed Talbot for 21 years and nine months. The court heard how Roberts' involvement in the supply of class A drugs, totalled 11kg of cocaine worth 385,000, and 3kg of heroin worth 54,000. READ MORE: Taxi driver's secret life as 'NuttyLeopard' EncroChat drug dealer. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. READ MORE: Underworld banker 'MessyZebra' 'flicked' 1m of dirty cash for drug bosses. Paul Dillon, 32, of Norlands Park, Widnes. Ricardo Hughes, aka EncroChat user "NovaCoast", and Christopher Dooley, aka "OctoOx", were identified as key players in the plot. The authorities seized over two tons of drugs, dozens of guns, and around 54m in cash. But 40-year-old Woolton roofer Daniels worked as a drug and cash courier for him, under the handle "ExoticApe", in 2020. "Money man" Allan, who used the EncroChat handle "MessyZebra", was previously jailed for two years for dealing cannabis in 2005. Liam Garvey, 28, of The Boulevard, Thatto Heath, Kevin Allan was the 'money man' for a 1 million EncroChat cocaine conspiracy, Kevin Allan helped cocaine bosses keep track of their thousands of pounds by acting as a gangland banker, David Holgate, 49 and from Anfield, went by the EncroChat handle LoftyWizard and was sentenced to six years and eight months for drugs offences. Sweden: Arrested Migration-Background Rapper Named 'Artist - Breitbart Hundreds of other EncroChat users have been arrested across Europe. Police intercepted . 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 . Demand for ANOM from criminal groups also increased after European investigators announced the dismantlement of the EncroChat platform in July 2020. Cops Investigating 'WhatsApp for Gangsters' Arrest Key Suspect in Caribbean. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? 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. The organised crime group based in St Helens traded almost 50kg of amphetamine, but also flogged cocaine across the UK. Six men have been arrested in the Netherlands following the discovery of seven shipping containers converted into cells and torture chambers. Liam Garvey - ChopperReid and ButterflyJuice. 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. 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.. Dubbed EncroChat, the top-secret encrypted communication app comes pre-installed on a customized Android . An EncroChat cocaine boss joked in texts about the hack that would later see him locked up. Zoe Drewett Thursday 2 Jul 2020 12:36 pm. The Le Parisien report did not publish Paul Ks full name. North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) detectives launched an undercover surveillance operation in February 2020. He was jailed for six years and eight months. 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. He was jailed for eight years and 10 months. Tom Duffy. Mathew Badibanga used the EncroChat nickname "Bagbangboomboom" to make "vast profits" using the encrypted phone service. READ MORE: EncroChat dealers planned to flood Merseyside with Class A drugs. His EncroChat handle was NormalAir, READ MORE: BT engineer's double life as EncroChat user 'Normalair' who bragged about lavish contacts in Dubai. . For reasons unknown he was then released. 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. 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 Ks 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. PARIS The police in Europe said Thursday they had arrested hundreds of people on suspicion of drug trafficking and other crimes after successfully hacking into an encrypted phone . Details of the arrests were first published in French newspaper Le Parisien. It will feature reports from Liverpool Crown Court and crime cases connected to Merseyside. 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. The drugs boss talked about importation runs from Colombia, St Lucia and Brazil, and also discussed his love of poker. Full story behind Oxfordshire drug kingpin who boasted of 'dodging a Encrochat: the top-secret network explained after the NCA helped hack phones of major crime figures and made arrests. Kevin Daniels handled 1.5m of dirty cash for a drug boss who used the name of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker 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. On the same day, David Blackburn, 29, was arrested at his home in Springvale Close, Kirkby after detectives linked him to a handle titled "SuperBiking". This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. 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. EncroChat: Hundreds arrested after police infiltrate secret - CNN He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply each of the drugs and was jailed for 16 years.