Five years since EncroChat users realised the game was up

Today marks five years since thousands of drug dealers using encrypted devices realised the network they thought was secret had in fact been infiltrated by law enforcement.

On 13 June 2020, the EncroChat servers were shut down after administrators sent a message to all users of the devices warning them that there had been a compromise, giving them instructions to turn off and destroy their devices.

But thanks to Operation Venetic, authorities had already gathered months of data from the devices.

The information on the devices has proved vital in disrupting and dismantling numerous serious and organised crime groups (OCGs) who have operated in Merseyside and far beyond, and cut their supply of dangerous illegal drugs.

As a direct result of information gathered as part of Operation Venetic 

• 251 people have been arrested
• 213 people have been charged with offences including drug supply, drug importation, and firearms supply
• 180 people, have been sentenced to 2,261 years in prison
• £2million cash seized
• More than 150kg of Class A drugs seized

Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill, Head of Investigations at Merseyside Police, said: “It is fair to say the past five years have been a challenging time for drug dealers who used EncroChat.

“Here in Merseyside, our Operation Venetic investigations have identified drug dealers who had been convinced they were operating under the radar. They felt safe enough to share personal information with other users, as well as co-ordinating the sale and exchange of drugs and firearms.

“Little did they know we were able to view messages they sent and images they shared.

“We have evidenced where drug dealers lived from images they proudly shared of their homes and gardens, identified fingerprints from a photo of a hand holding a block of cheese and an offender whose passion of pigeon fancying gave the game away.

“Work continues to identify more offenders as well as the proceeds of their crimes, which in turn will fund community projects in those areas who feel the impact of serious and organised crime.

“These individuals and groups clearly thought that they could hide from law enforcement, by using encrypted devices to inflict the immense harm drug supply brings.

“Unfortunately for them, we are relentless in our pursuit of anyone who supplies drugs and weapons.”

Det Chief Supt Karen Jaundrill added: “Offenders involved in the supply of illegal drugs rely on threats, intimidation and violence to maintain their illicit trade. 

“The gun and knife crime associated with such criminality can devastate communities and our efforts to stop them in their tracks involve warrants, stop searches, land searches, as well as covert methods.

“Operation Venetic has provided us with a unique opportunity to identify and bring to justice criminals who have no regard for the damage they cause, many of whom were not previously known to police.

“Investigations continue, so if you had such a device for criminal purposes and have not yet been through the courts, you can expect a knock on the door at any time.

“And be assured that law enforcement continues to develop technology to keep pace with, and overtake, offenders. 

“There will never be a place to hide for as long as Merseyside Police remains determined to rid our communities of drug dealers and the harm they cause."