READ MORE: Gang's 'eye watering' cocaine plot recorded on Excel spreadsheets. Law enforcement agencies around the world have increasingly targeted the creators and administrators of encrypted phone companies. READ MORE: Gang threatened to 'chop off ears' and hold iron to chest of pensioner, 39. 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. ", Liverpool transfer news LIVE - Jude Bellingham boost, Goncalo Inacio scouted, Moises Caicedo decision. 26-year-old Michael Townsend of Grant Road, Huyton was sentenced to six years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court today, Tuesday 9 February. Philip Dearden, 31, of Kent Road, St Helens, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis. READ MORE: Encrochat 'Loadedsun' dealer jailed after returning from Spain, 35. Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including updates on Roberto Firmino, Manuel Locatelli, Naby Keita and Mason Mount. Ahead of his big trip Talbot went on a two-week spending spree, buying himself more than 40,000 of Rolex watches. The ANOM platform - unlike Phantom Secure, EncroChat, and Sky Global - was exploited by the FBI from the very beginning of ANOM's existence and was not an infiltration of an existing popular encrypted communications company. 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. 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 . 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. French investigators managed to access Encrochat, an encrypted platform . Skillen, who admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and failing to comply with a serious crime prevention order, was jailed for 15 years. 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. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. He used the Encrochat handles Scantbee and Sandferret. Townsend was convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis and acquire/use/possess criminal property. Officers found handcuffs attached to the floors and ceilings of the structures, which had also been soundproofed. French and Dutch detectives were able to secretly monitor communications between criminals for weeks on the EncroChat service before its . But 40-year-old Woolton roofer Daniels worked as a drug and cash courier for him, under the handle "ExoticApe", in 2020. Encrochat users don't use their real names, but false names, known as "handles". 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 . READ MORE: EncroChat drug boss boasted he made 20K before 8pm. Paul Krusky played a crucial role in the development of encrypted phone firm EncroChat. READ MORE: EncroChat dealers 'Wealthymace' and 'Dior Ice' caught at Liverpool airport before Spain flight, 59 - 60. O'Hare was jailed for six and a half years. In the UK, authorities arrested 746 suspected top-tier criminals who are believed to be involved in murder, gun smuggling and drug trafficking crimes, and seized 54m in cash and 1.5 tonnes of . Strachan was convicted of a conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs. 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. Paul Krusky played a crucial role in the development of encrypted phone firm EncroChat. 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. It's free, easy and takes no time at all. But Europe Is Still Awash With Drugs. When the containers were almost finished, investigators decided to intervene. They revealed how the firm used a shell company in Panama and included an EncroChat member sharing the details of a bank account in Luxembourg with an associate for conducting EncroChat business. We'd love to hear from you. Daniels, who was arrested in November, admitted conspiracies to supply cocaine and convert criminal property. 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. READ MORE: 27m drug boss caught fleeing to Spain in BMW with girlfriend after spending spree, 56 - 58: Alexander Keating - DullTuna and WealthyMace, Paul Dillon - WaspLawn, and Dylan Garforth - DiorIce. John, formerly of Manor Road in Prescot, was handed two and a half years for participating in the activities of an organised crime group. 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. 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. He used an EncroChat phone to update the drug bosses on their income, dealing with hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time. Police intercepted . Signing up is free and it only takes a minute for you to get the biggest stories, sent straight to your inbox. The suspects were arrested on 22 June following a Franco-Dutch operation to infiltrate the EncroChat encrypted phone system. READ MORE: EncroChat drug boss panicked after cocaine market 'stood still' during lockdown. 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. 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. Amphetamine is commonly nicknamed speed, whizz and Billy Whizz - the latter after the famous character in the children's comic. Messages on EncroChat were said to link both men to the supply of multi-kilo amounts of the two Class A drugs and smaller amounts of Class B cannabis. They were both then sentenced in connection to a gangland shooting in Warrington. Investigators were able to access his contacts via an Encrochat phone. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer nicknamed 'coastalsummer' tried to flee naked through window in raid, 31 David Pinnington - LoftyHail and 32. 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. He has now been charged over firearms offences, and being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs . Paul Dillon, 32, of Norlands Park, Widnes. A drug dealer who used two EncroChat handles was brought to justice. They found 26,710 in cash in a . Following today's guilty verdict, he will be sentenced on 4 January 2022 at . Almost 800 people were arrested across the UK after French officials hacked the Encrochat platform enabling police to read text messages At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. A top EncroChat drugs boss was busted after police identified him through his Costco membership. 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. Bradley Luxton laughed with a fellow drug dealer that they would need 'loads of Skys' - an alternative platform to EncroChat. 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. 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. An EncroChat drug gang moved nearly 500,000 of amphetamine branded with pictures of The Beano character Billy Whizz. London crime: Ealing thug caught hiding a shotgun when police raided Southall home; Read More Related Articles EncroChat drug dealer David Holgate was busted when he was caught with 176kg of caffeine in the back of his car. EncroChat drug dealer Sean Moore also sold Covid 19 testing kits as a sideline during lockdown. He was jailed for eight and a half years. The 57-year-old had worked with others to order the massive haul, 8kgs of which was his. His Encrochat handle was Milliondolla. The arrests are among 800 made across Europe after EncroChat messages were intercepted and decoded. Garvey, who used the EncroChat handles "ChopperReid" and "ButterflyJuice" admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine, conspiring to produce cannabis, and possessing cannabis. The huge operation has been taking place over the past three months with police seizing 13m of cash in London alone. 1) Go to our dedicated newsletter page at this link. After the brothers were arrested, the police conducted a number of searches. 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. North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) detectives launched an undercover surveillance operation in February 2020. 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'. The 34-year-old kept his two EncroChat phones until March the following year, when police raided his house and exposed his multi-kilo cocaine business. Officers seized a gun, ammunition . Demand for ANOM from criminal groups also increased after European investigators announced the dismantlement of the EncroChat platform in July 2020. He was jailed for six years and eight months. The organised crime group based in St Helens traded almost 50kg of amphetamine, but also flogged cocaine across the UK. Liverpool's courts are some of the busiest in the UK, with a huge variety of cases being heard each week. The dad-of-two . READ MORE: 'Milliondolla' EncroChat user said he had cocaine 'coming out me ears'. 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. 10 The Salad Terrorist. "Money man" Allan, who used the EncroChat handle "MessyZebra", was previously jailed for two years for dealing cannabis in 2005. Police across Europe have used the information secured by French and Dutch detectives who secretly monitored the EncroChat service . 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. Something went wrong, please try again later. The eight arrests are thought to be the first arrests of people involved in the setting up and running of EncroChat. READ MORE: Block of Stilton cheese led to the downfall of EncroChat drug dealer. Coordinated by Europol and specialist French investigators, the string of arrests comes two years after French police hacked into the encrypted messaging network, used by thousands of high end criminals to discuss drug deals, money laundering and violence. ", 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. more than 700 people arrested across Europe, London crime: Ealing thug caught hiding a shotgun when police raided Southall home, Man jailed for stabbing his victim four times in 'brutal attack' in Hackney, The underrated seaside town named one of the coolest places to live where all the Londoners who have moved there are known as DFLs, According to one local Ramsgate is a 'lovely' place perfect for families, Residents fear a new Sainsbury's will 'kill' East London town's high street shops with 4 having already closed due to sky high rents, The supermarket giant wants to open a Sainsbury's Local on 70 Wapping Lane and plans to sell booze from 7am to 11pm every day, Croydon crash: Accident near Selhurst Park stadium grinds busy South London road to a halt, The incident happened at around 6am this morning, The stunning seaside town with the 'best' fish and chips where loads of rich Londoners are snaffling up all the second homes, The town is perfect for a visit but you might anger residents if you are on a house hunting trip, The underrated London neighbourhood where 'all the cool young hipsters are moving' and TV property guru reckons house prices will rocket, New Cross has new coffee shops popping up all over the place, Stephen Bear's ex Georgia Harrison issues important message after reality star is jailed for revenge porn, Bear was sentenced to 21 months after being found guilty of voyeurism, disclosing private sexual images without consent and breach of bail conditions, West London man dies after being attacked by friend but he's only been convicted of GBH, Gary Curran violently assaulted his friend Stephen Wallis in an argument over drugs before he was later found dead in his flat, Beyonce's extra Tottenham concert date 'was added without council permission' as scramble is now on to make it legit, The football club has a licence to host six musical concerts a year, Beyonces extra adds a seventh to their calendar, BBC EastEnders fans panic wrongly thinking Pat Butcher legend Pam St Clement has died, The character's name is currently trending on Twitter, leading some fans to assume the worst, London crime: The despicable couples who have faced jail together after committing awful crimes, They include a couple who conned gay men out of 140,000 to fund their lavish lifestyle and a woman who ignored her boyfriend's abuse of her own child, BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce fans think they've spotted hidden meaning in the song choices at the start of his last ever show, The Radio 2 presenting legend has said he is being forced out early, London weather map shows city bombarded with 18 hours of snow as Met Office warns it will be 'widespread and persistent', The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice next week, South London pub in one of the city's coolest neighbourhoods taken over by chain leaving regulars 'heartbroken', EXCLUSIVE: Staff at the 20-year-old pub have no idea if they can stay on, Seaside town not far from London named one of UK's most beautiful places but it could be underwater in 40 years, Those stunning views could disappear within a few decades, 'I went to the corner of London that's stuffed full of Wimpys and regulars visit so often staff know their exact orders', The manager said Wimpy is 'everyone's childhood', First picture of wife found dead in South London home as husband charged with murder, Sandra Liliana Giraldo was found dead in her home as police were forced to break down the doors to enter, Corner of London where one hard-working man runs almost every shop on the high street, Michael Jones owns the butchers, the fishmongers and the cheese shop - and locals love all of them, Man killed his own mum with a metal key and covered her bloodied body with clothes, Mitchell Denahy from Waltham Forest will be sentenced on April 28, Ken Bruce's autistic son, 20, who has never spoken a word but is desperate for the world to hear him, "We have so much to say, so please hear us", he said via another autistic man in a powerful film, 'Devoted' South London single mum dies in tragic accident leaving five children behind, Zo Anne Scott was the 'life and soul of the party' and a 'fiercely protective, powerful, and loving mother', Family's heartbreaking tribute to 'cheeky chappy' football star after he suddenly dies, Sammy Winstons family is seeking help to cover the funeral expenses his 21-year-old daughter faces, The pretty commuter town just outside London often named one of the best places to live with a massive park families will love, It's less than 30 minutes from some parts of London, The despicable couples who have faced jail together after committing awful crimes, The 6 skyscrapers that could have been built in London that would've been way taller than The Shard, London's horizon may have looked very different if these developments went ahead, Croydon man 'tried to rape girl, 14, in South London woods' and asked her to send naked photos, Leon Ward, 49, from New Addington befriended the child and began messaging her before meeting her for a 'walk in the woods' where he assaulted her, Londoners asked the best restaurants for their native cuisines in city and you probably won't have heard of half of them, The best spots for French, Thai, Korean, Swedish, Indian and more in London, The free birthday treats you can get from Greggs, Costa, Hotel Chocolat and London pubs, You can get birthday freebies from several shops on your special day. 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 . Steven Strachan, 49, of School Lane, Bidston, was sentenced to six years in prisoners. 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 network, said by the authorities to have been a hotbed for gangland plots, was penetrated in a joint French-Dutch probe in April 2020. Baker was arrested on 22 April 2021. Image purporting to show drugs seized by police in a series of raids in SE London, Kent and Sussex yesterday (September 22). 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.. The dealer, of Manorwood Drive, Whiston, was jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty to four counts of supplying the drugs. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer 'butterflyjuice' jailed for almost a decade. Details of the arrests were first published in French newspaper Le Parisien. In one container, they also discovered police clothing and bulletproof vests. Harding was jailed for 18 years and five months. More than two tonnes of drugs, several dozen guns and 54m in suspect cash . 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. Last modified on Thu 2 Jul 2020 15.45 EDT. 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. He operated on EncroChat as Jethawk. 2) Put your email in the box where indicated. 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. 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. 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. Inside the containers was a dentist chair with straps and handcuffs. 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 Drugs linked to EncroChat dealer Michael Devine, from West Derby. At the time, Motherboard did not name this EncroChat member due to the risk they faced being deeply involved in an encrypted phone company that ultimately led to the arrests of thousands of alleged organised criminals. 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. It could affect hundreds of criminal investigations, prosecutions, and investigations in the UK. The authorities seized over two tons of drugs, dozens of guns, and around 54m in cash. Encrochat users don't use their real names, but false names, known as "handles". As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. They were caught after an 18-month investigation and were among the 250-plus arrests made in GMP's strand of the National Crime Agency's . They are just choosing to spend it more cautiously. 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.". 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". READ MORE: EncroChat dealer boasted of 'mayday' airport smuggling scheme, 43.