A "proud dad" was unmasked as Encrochat dealer "Diorpaw" who moved 40kgs of Class A drugs in just a few months.
John Digweed used the Encrochat services to organise the supply cocaine and heroin during the spring of 2020. The 33-year-old tried to deny he was behind the handle “DiorPaw” but a jury saw through his lies in December.
Today, a judge told the “proud dad” his messages about his children played a significant role in police being able to identify him.
READ MORE: Dealer stole cars, burgled homes and flooded communities with drugs
Henry Riding, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court Digweed was convicted of conspiracy to supply a range of Class A and Class B drugs including cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, ketamine, cannabis and ecstasy. He said Digweed mainly appeared to trade drugs to other dealers in Devon and Cornwall, though other locations across Britain were mentioned in his messages to other criminals.
In his messages to other dealers, Digweed made clear his focus was on “swilling”, or diluting drugs in order to increase his profit. One message read: “Got 5-6 swills on tomorrow and I’ve got 5 different people I need to make for”
The court heard Digweed, of Harlech Road in Crosby, sent messages to other dealers referencing his kids and birthday parties he was planning for them, helping police to trace him when the Encrochat system was hacked. He also sent other messages allowing them to be sure of his identity. One image sent to him by another criminal showed a block of cannabis labelled “Johnny Weed.”
His response was: “HaHaHaHa lad who’s done that, its only missing dig out the name. My name isJohnny Digweed init.” Digweed was arrested in March 2021 and convicted in December of seven counts of conspiracy to supply drugs in addition to one count of money laundering.
Prosecutors said he could be connected to the supply of at least 30 kilos of cocaine and 12 and a half kilos of heroin. Paul Becker, defending, told Judge David Swinnerton Digweed and his family were extremely close and the prospect of a long stint behind bars was “a matter of great distress” for them.
Judge Swinnerton said Digweed was a "proud dad" who behaved in a “close, loving and supportive” way towards his family while blighting communities across the UK with drugs. He added that his messages about his children had enabled police to identify him through his messages. Digweed was jailed for 25 years.
