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. 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. Liverpool's courts are some of the busiest in the UK, with a huge variety of cases being heard each week. Now that Krusky has been arrested, Motherboard can add that the EncroChat member who sent the emails was Krusky. The Tobin brothers Alan Tobin, 52, (left) and John Tobin, 40, (right). Not so that of 14-year-old Mohammed Al-Gharani, nabbed in Pakistan. dailyrecord Load mobile navigation News 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 . 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. 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 . 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 . 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. 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. The police have managed to establish the true identity of the users by analysing their individual messages and personal information. Eventually Kruskys product operated under the name EncroChat, according to emails obtained by Motherboard. READ MORE: EncroChat drug boss boasted he made 20K before 8pm. EncroChat conversations between Simon Roberts, who used the names 'MajorFox' and 'FanaticFirm' and other members of the conspiracy revealed that on one occasion he was entrusted with 8kg of cocaine and 485,000 in cash. Harding, who used the handle "MagicCider", sold heroin, cocaine and cannabis worth around 1.5million through the encrypted phone network. The identity of the crook who has adopted the name of the Reds' Brazilian shot stopper on the secret phone network remains a mystery. Drugs linked to EncroChat dealer Michael Devine, from West Derby. The Le Parisien report did not publish Paul Ks full name. He was jailed for eight years and 10 months. 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. Read More Related Articles. This was also to be served consecutively to the drugs tariff he was already in jail for. North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) detectives launched an undercover surveillance operation in February 2020. Marsh was linked to the distribution of 25 kilos of cocaine, 110 kilos of cannabis and one kilo of ketamine. 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. Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including updates on Roberto Firmino, Manuel Locatelli, Naby Keita and Mason Mount. We'd love to hear from you. 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. Holgate admitted conspiring to supply ketamine, possessing criminal property and possessing amphetamine with intent to supply. READ MORE: EncroChat dealer busted after being caught with 176kg caffeine haul. 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. Mathew Badibanga used the EncroChat nickname "Bagbangboomboom" to make "vast profits" using the encrypted phone service. Police forces first became aware of the EncroChat network in 2016. Ward went by the name "StableToast", Carlton used the handle "StaleSloth", and another Merseyside man - who is still at large - was called "DampHedge". The 48-year-old, of Grosvenor Road in Wavertree, used the handle "TameWelder" on the secret phone network. 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. Read about our approach to external linking. Gabriel meanwhile, aged 29 and of Bolam Close in Manchester, was given a jail sentence of 13 years and six . More than two tonnes of drugs, several dozen guns and 54m in suspect cash . 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. Roberts, 57, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. 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. READ MORE: Encrochat 'Loadedsun' dealer jailed after returning from Spain, 35. EncroChat drug dealer Anthony Lenehan was the man behind the codename 'JetHawk'. It could affect hundreds of criminal investigations, prosecutions, and investigations in the UK. Craig O'Hare - also MagicCider. READ MORE: Gang's 'eye watering' cocaine plot recorded on Excel spreadsheets. A top EncroChat drugs boss was busted after police identified him through his Costco membership. 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He was jailed for 10 years and eight months. For more news and features about London directly to your inbox sign up to our newsletter here. It is not clear what charges Paul Krusky faces in his role with EncroChat. 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 . 2023 BBC. Threats detailed on the site included acid attacks and chopping off limbs. In March 2021 Motherboard published details from a cache of emails, Encrochat Lawyers Say Clients Haven't Had Fair Trials, The Network: How a Secretive Phone Company Helped the Crime World Go Dark, charged with conspiracy to murder and cocaine trafficking, have not received fair trials due to the intense secrecy. An EncroChat drug gang moved nearly 500,000 of amphetamine branded with pictures of The Beano character Billy Whizz. Signing up is free and it only takes a minute for you to get the biggest stories, sent straight to your inbox. Simon Roberts - MajorFox and FanaticFirm. But it was EncroChat messages, recovered in April 2020, which gave officers the additional evidence to blow the lid on the network. 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. Roberts, of Circular Drive, Greasby, Wirral was sentenced to 10 years and six months. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Dentith, 29, of College View, Huyton, was sentenced to 17 years three months after pleading guilty to supply cocaine and ecstasy. Daniel Wilson, 33, of Silverbeech Road, Wallasey, was sentenced to seven years and eight months after pleading guilty to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis and conspiracy to convert criminal property in relation to the proceeds of his crimes. Sometimes called the criminal's WhatsApp, it advertised its service as being 'the electronic equivalent of a conversation . 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. 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. 11 October 2022 - French Criminal Division of the Court of Cassation provided a landmark ruling on evidence from hacked EncroChat. So far, around 800 people, including some prominent crime figures, have been arrested from different parts in Europe using information acquired through EncroChat. 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Nathan Harding - MagicCider and LesserHedge and 36. By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content. 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. 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. Police across Europe have used the information secured by French and Dutch detectives who secretly monitored the EncroChat service . But Europe Is Still Awash With Drugs. He supplied large quantities of cocaine, heroin, cannabis and amphetamines around the country and was arrested in September last year. Garvey, who used the EncroChat handles "ChopperReid" and "ButterflyJuice" admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine, conspiring to produce cannabis, and possessing cannabis. READ MORE: EncroChat dealers 'Wealthymace' and 'Dior Ice' caught at Liverpool airport before Spain flight, 59 - 60. . READ MORE: 'Milliondolla' EncroChat user said he had cocaine 'coming out me ears'. 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. This is the warning that sent shockwaves through Britain's criminal underworld after police penetrated an encrypted phone network for 'untouchable' crime bosses. Moore, whose four previous convictions include a money laundering conspiracy, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin, from April to June last year. The EncroChat Hack Was Hailed as a Major Coup Against Gangsters. Now he has been arrested in the Dominican Republic. They both pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply the three drugs. READ MORE: 'Bro we be multimillionaires in three months haha' boasted dealer. 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. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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.. Bradley Luxton laughed with a fellow drug dealer that they would need 'loads of Skys' - an alternative platform to EncroChat. 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 . We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Entire organised crime groups dismantled during Operation Venetic with 746 arrests, and 54m criminal cash, 77 firearms and over two tonnes of drugs seized so far. Sam Lewis, 30, of Mardale Road, Huyton, was sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, ketamine and cannabis between March 20 and June 3 last year.. READ MORE: EncroChat boss 'KeySilver' stockpiled drugs over lockdown fears. Once you're there, put your email address where it says at the top, then click on the Echo Court Files button. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. The drug dealer went by the alias 'SnowEmu' on the encrypted messaging service. 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. 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. 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.". READ MORE: EncroChat drug boss panicked after cocaine market 'stood still' during lockdown. He delivered at least 44 kilos of cocaine and stored hundreds of thousands of pounds of cash in his family home in Linkside Road. 800+ arrests, seizure of 40 tons of drugs, 250 guns, 55 luxury cars, and over $148 million in currencies and cryptocurrencies: . READ MORE: EncroChat cocaine boss with international links asked dealers to call him 'Jethawk'. Michael Devine had shared details of his membership on the EncroChat encrypted messaging platform. Jordan Hughes traded cocaine and heroin with crooks using names of Liverpool FC stars on EncroChat. 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. 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. It operated on customised Android phones and, according to its website, provided "worry-free secure communications". Zoe Drewett Thursday 2 Jul 2020 12:36 pm. The suspects were arrested on 22 June following a Franco-Dutch operation to infiltrate the EncroChat encrypted phone system.