Drug Gang Busted After Police Crackdown on Encrypted Chats
A major UK drug ring was smashed after police used encrypted messages to track their illicit trade in London.
‘Neighbourhoodhero’ and Crew Exposed on EncroChat
Andrew Doyle, 35, from Hammersmith, was at the heart of the operation. Known by the alias ‘Neighbourhoodhero’, Doyle has a previous drug conviction and was caught through messages on the encrypted platform EncroChat. He led cocaine deals across London, coordinating with his gang in secret chats.
In April last year, Doyle discussed dodging police during lockdown restrictions, texting: “Mate, do you have a high vis and stuff for the van? And like builder clothes? We need to look official in times like this.”
Family Ties and Fake Work Gear in Drug Plot
Doyle worked closely with Derrick Canning, 50, from Isleworth, who transported the drugs. He also mentioned an NHS worker friend with a pass to avoid police stops in London, describing how officers were “pulling people” everywhere.
Meanwhile, mother and son Catherine (63) and Joe Roche (29) from Fulham handled the cash side. Catherine, known as ‘Diamondsareforever’, managed money, with Joe, aka ‘Cremebrulee’, helping to cut and move the cash. Joe even joked about “clapping for dealers” during the first lockdown.
Nearly 50,000 Pills Seized in Police Raids
All four suspects were arrested in June last year. Police seized almost 50,000 MDMA pills, piles of cash, a cash counting machine, encrypted phones, and luxury Rolex watches from their homes.
At Kingston Crown Court, the gang was handed a combined sentence of 33 and a half years after pleading guilty.
Matt McMillan, OCP Manager, said: “We believe this group distributed huge amounts of drugs across parts of London and the Home Counties. Evidence showed they plotted to continue during the strictest UK lockdown. That risk didn’t pay off. The trade in class A drugs fuels violence and exploitation, and these sentences show the NCA and Met Police working hard to protect the public.”
