A man has been jailed following an investigation into an Encrochat device by Bedfordshire Police’s serious and organised crime team Operation Costello.
Detectives obtained Encrochat data by French authorities and proved Sean Davie, 55, led a well-established drugs supply across the country.
Davie was previously convicted for his involvement in a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely amphetamine and cocaine, and was subsequently imprisoned and subject to a confiscation order for more than £700,000.
On the encrypted platform Davie went by the Encro-handle ‘Tanball’ and was seen to arrange the buying and selling of Cannabis and Cocaine, the latter worth between £35,000 and £40,000 per kilo, as well as setting up meetings and exchanges with criminal contacts.
On some messages he also acted as an intermediary for other associate dealers in selling their product.
Davie of Luton Hoo Estate, Luton pleaded guilty to being concerned in the making of an offer to supply a quantity of cocaine and being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of Class B cannabis.
He was jailed on Tuesday (17 October) to eight years and nine months at Luton Crown Court.
Investigation Officer Alex Howell, from Bedfordshire Police’s Operation Costello, said: “Davie was evidently a high-level drug dealer and engaged in the extensive facilitation and supply of controlled drugs.
“It’s also clear he thought the encryption would enable him to conduct this criminality with no concerns from the police and other law enforcement agencies.
“But he was wrong, and we will continue to bring those to justice who endeavour in this murky business which is intrinsically linked to violence and exploitation.”
Operation Costello is the largest operation in Bedfordshire Police’s history aimed at tackling organised crime gangs, going after the major players involved in the import and sale of drugs locally.
It is Bedfordshire Police’s response to the national Operation Venetic, which looks at criminality concealed by specialist encrypted phones.
Cracking the encryption on these specialist devices has enabled police to shine a light on the drug networks suspected of being involved in the highest levels of serious and organised crime across the country.
For more information visit https://www.beds.police.uk/police-forces/bedfordshire-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/operation-costello/
