Co Antrim man sentenced to eight years over drug offences linked to EncroChat network

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of a series of serious drug-related offences, following an investigation into the criminal use of encrypted communications platform EncroChat.

Daryl Patton, from Newtownabbey, appeared at Londonderry Crown Court on Wednesday, 2nd July, where he was sentenced for multiple charges including conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug, conspiracy to fraudulently import a Class A controlled drug, possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs, being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, offering to supply a Class A drug, and possession of criminal property.

The charges stem from a high-level investigation under Operation Venetic, a UK-wide law enforcement operation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Organised Crime Branch and international partners.

The operation successfully infiltrated the EncroChat network, which was widely used by organised crime groups to plan drug importation and move illicit cash.

Detective Inspector Pyper from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch explained the significance of the case:

“EncroChat was an encrypted phone network used by organised crime groups to plan illegal activity, typically drug importation and the movement of cash.”

Patton’s arrest took place in August 2020, following a targeted police search at a property in the Newtownabbey area. Officers recovered several mobile devices, the analysis of which revealed extensive communications linked to illegal drug activities.

Detective Inspector Pyper continued:

“An extensive examination of messages on the encrypted phone network revealed the defendant’s involvement in a vast number of exchanges regarding drugs, methods to pay for drugs, as well as conversations relating to the transporting of drugs into Northern Ireland.

“Throughout this case we have worked closely with partners, including prosecutors from the Public Prosecution Service and the National Crime Agency. It is thanks to such collective efforts, backed by the expertise of detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch, that we were able to bring Patton before the court.”

The court ordered Patton to serve half of his eight-year sentence in custody, with the remainder to be served on licence.

Concluding, Detective Inspector Pyper emphasised the PSNI’s continued efforts to dismantle organised crime networks:

“This is a welcome milestone, and a reflection of our ongoing commitment to bring those involved in criminal activity to justice. Working with partners, we will continue to disrupt the movements and activities of organised crime groups, who bring nothing but harm to the most vulnerable within our communities.”