An EncroChat dealer has been jailed after he posted photos of blocks of cocaine and £16k cash on the service.
Bryan Stephen Heffey, 46, of Woodend Avenue, Maghull was due to stand trial on Monday, March 28, but changed his plea at the last minute to guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs. He was arrested in September 2020 as part of Merseyside Police's response to Operation Venetic as officers cracked down on the mobile encryption network being used to supply drugs across the region.
Heffey was found to be using the EncroChat handles 'Activegamer' and 'Lemonisland' to supply large quantities of heroin, cocaine and cannabis. Detectives found evidence of his drug dealing on his handles, with pictures he shared with other users showing blocks of cocaine and an estimated £16,000 of cash.
READ MORE: Six week old baby dies after being found on living room floor
Bryan Stephen Heffey was sentenced to 10 years 6 months imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 29 March).
Speaking about the case, Detective Inspector Peter McCullough said: “This latest sentencing has helped disrupt a network of drugs which Heffey supplied across the north west. Heffey initially pleaded not guilty to the charges and was due to stand trial on Monday. However as the evidence against him was so strong he changed his plea to guilty at the last minute.
“This latest sentencing joins a long line of other convictions that we have accomplished which highlights our success in arresting and convicting people. We will continue to keep this momentum going and pursue offenders who think they can lie undetected by using the dark web, as we are taking action and bringing them to justice.
“I would urge anyone who has any information about people they suspect are blighting their neighbourhood by supplying or selling drugs to contact us so we can take action.” Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.
