A sophisticated criminal network has been dismantled after law enforcement successfully penetrated their secret encrypted communications, leading to the imprisonment of three men described as 'extremely dangerous' offenders.
Major Investigation Uncovers Criminal Enterprise
Carl Ian Jones, aged 59, Harly Wise, 29, and Naginder Gill, 47, have been sentenced to a combined total of 75 years behind bars at Bolton Crown Court. The convictions follow an extensive investigation by the National Crime Agency which focused on their activities using the encrypted communications platform EncroChat.
Military-Grade Weapons and Drug Trafficking
The criminal enterprise involved discussions about trading military-grade firearms alongside substantial drug trafficking operations. Messages intercepted by investigators revealed Jones, operating under the EncroChat handle 'stalehead', attempted to broker a deal for an AR15 assault rifle complete with fifty bullets.
Jones also admitted to hiding firearms at his holiday property in Mallorca, requesting a contact store them because his girlfriend was 'going mad'. Further communications showed Jones and Wise discussing transactions involving AK47s and an Uzi submachine gun.
Violent Threats and Kidnap Plots
Wise, who used the handles 'bluffcheatah' and 'hungrykiller', discussed kidnapping a rival drug dealer from Birmingham over a £350,000 debt. In one chilling message, Wise wrote that the intended victim 'can sleep mate u understand what I mean if u want', suggesting violent intent.
The investigation revealed Wise arranged a meeting in Greenwich Park, London to discuss the kidnap plot and later brokered the sale of two 9mm handguns with fifty bullets near Eltham in south London during May 2020.
Substantial Prison Sentences Handed Down
After analysing thousands of lines of EncroChat data related to Class A and B drug movements, the NCA established all three men acted as 'facilitators' in the drug trade, purchasing substances and selling them to contacts at inflated prices.
The sentences reflect the severity of their crimes:
- Carl Ian Jones of Hale, Greater Manchester received 30 years imprisonment after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine, and being found guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to transfer prohibited weapons.
- Harly Wise of Ealing, London was jailed for 25 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine, cannabis, methylamphetamine and conspiracy to transfer prohibited weapons.
- Naginder Gill of Oldbury, West Midlands was sentenced to 20 years in prison after admitting conspiring to supply a range of drugs.
Law Enforcement Response
NCA branch commander Jon Hughes stated: "These men are extremely dangerous offenders and the streets are safer now they're in prison. We've seen in recent years that entirely innocent victims can be tragically caught in the crossfire of feuding organised crime groups."
Hughes emphasised the interconnected nature of drugs and firearms crimes, confirming that "the NCA will continue to work with partners at home and abroad to protect the public from these threats."
The successful prosecution demonstrates law enforcement's growing capability to penetrate encrypted communications used by organised crime networks, delivering significant blows to criminal enterprises operating both within the UK and internationally.
