Bromley drug dealer Michael Hall locked up for nearly eight years
Cracking the ‘Uncrackable’ EncroChat
Michael Hall, 60, from Bromley South, was sentenced to seven years and nine months in jail on February 4 at Croydon Crown Court. The veteran drug dealer had pleaded guilty to multiple offences linked to large-scale Class A and B drug supply.
His conviction came as part of a major investigation into EncroChat, an encrypted messaging network used by criminals to trade drugs and firearms. French and Dutch police cracked the supposedly “uncrackable” system and passed key intel to the Metropolitan Police, exposing Hall’s role between January and June 2020.
Under the alias ‘Insane Snail’, Hall acted as a middleman, helping to move staggering amounts of:
- 5kg of cocaine
- 2kg of amphetamines
- 8kg of cannabis
- 6.5kg of ketamine (with talks to supply an extra 6kg)
Repeat Offender with Long-Time Links
Hall isn’t new to the game. His criminal record shows:
- Two years in prison in 1997 for drug trafficking
- Eight years jail in 2011 for cannabis supply
- Ties to Jack Tahir, 48, from Beckenham, jailed for 10 years in 2021 over £1 million in drugs
Prosecutors revealed Hall brokered deals between suppliers and buyers but earned “only a modest markup” for his cut.
Financial Troubles Led Him Back to Crime
Despite a confiscation order in 2019 wiping out his illicit profits, Hall faced losing his home. Rather than quit, he slipped back into drug dealing to stay afloat.
“You made your choices, whatever your reasons, and you must accept the punishment,” said Recorder Stanley Reiz KC during sentencing.
Operation Venetic Strikes Hard
Hall’s jail term is part of Operation Venetic – the UK’s biggest-ever crackdown on organised crime. The action against EncroChat users has already netted hundreds of arrests and convictions.
The Met Police urge anyone with info on drug crime to come forward by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
