EncroChat drug dealers jailed for a combined 40 years

EncroChat drug dealers from Peterlee have been jailed for a combined 40 years.

Work by specialist officers have ensured two men, who believed they were untouchable, have been convicted for their roles in the supply of cocaine across County Durham.

This investigation forms part of a major operation involving the cracking of a bespoke encrypted global communication service.

EncroChat offered a secure mobile phone instant messaging service with around 10,000 users in the UK.

Since 2016, international law enforcement agencies have worked together to target and infiltrate the platform.

The intelligence gathered from this was then shared via Europol to national law enforcement agencies.

Through analysing messages from the EncroChat infiltration, officers identified Gary Mitchell aka ‘MILITARYFARMER’ and David Cairns aka ‘TRACTORFARMER’ as using the handles to procure and distribute cocaine in multi-kilogram amounts.

Following a further deep dive into the messages exchanged, officers were able to arrest Mitchell and Cairns on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. During a search of both of their addresses, large quantities of cash were also discovered and seized.

Both men denied the charges against them but, following a trial they were found guilty in March, this year.

This morning the pair appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced:

• David Cairns 47, of Salters Lane, Shotton Colliery was jailed for 22 years.
• Gary Mitchell, 48 of George Street, Haswell was jailed for 18 years.

A spokesperson from our Specialist Crime Operations Unit said: “Cairns and Mitchell believed they were untouchable using the EncroChat platform however it was just a matter of time before we were able to prove that they were involved in a drugs network.

“This investigation was very complex and intricate. We had to ensure that any evidence gathered could be attributed to Cairns and Mitchell and prove their involvement.

“Drugs ruin lives and destroy communities and under the wider banner of Operation Sentinel we will continue to pursue offenders and disrupt criminals who seek to make a profit and harm our North East communities.”

Suspect someone is involved in this type of criminality? Call us on 101 or if you would prefer to stay anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.