A criminal gang was dismantled after one of its members shared a photograph of himself holding a balloon on the encrypted EncroChat network. Colin Jones, Kevin Martindale, Kevin Smith, Leon Phillips, Jack Jones, Brandon McCann, Gary Holding, Colin Dolman, and Peter Jensen formed part of a Widnes-based Organised Crime Gang (OCG).
Operation Dominating Uncovers EncroChat Alias
An investigation codenamed Operation Dominating into their criminal activities began after officers from Cheshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit discovered an EncroChat profile operating under the alias “Mexican Nova.” For months, officers tracked the profile, carefully examining each message sent via the encrypted network.
The exchanges disclosed that “Mexican Nova” was behind supplying multiple kilograms of illegal drugs for circulation. Using the Mexican Nova alias, Jones also revealed his involvement in aiding another high-level organised crime syndicate with orchestrating a plot to bring large amounts of drugs into the UK.
As well as drug trafficking, messages showed Mexican Nova was actively attempting to buy a firearm magazine and ammunition, making several enquiries for what he described as “9mm sweets,” according to the Liverpool Echo. Just three days later, he finalised a deal and arranged for an associate to collect 85 rounds of 9mm ammunition from another EncroChat user in the Grappenhall area of Warrington.
Balloon Photo Links Jones to EncroChat Account
As the investigation progressed, it became increasingly clear the individual behind the account was Colin Jones. Growing more confident in the security of the EncroChat platform, Jones began revealing his identity within messages, referring to himself in one instance as “Col from Widnes” and in another as “three phones Jones.”
The evidence became definitive when Jones sent a photograph of himself, holding a balloon and a gas canister, to another user on the platform. This image enabled detectives to conclusively link him to the EncroChat account and the associated drug supply network.
Gang Responsible for Vast Drug Supply
Following this significant breakthrough, detectives then began to investigate Jones’ wider OCG. During this period, detectives established the group was responsible for sourcing and supplying more than 50kg of cocaine and 220kg of cannabis nationwide between September 2024 and November 2025.
Jones was also linked to the importation of at least 49 litres of cannabis distillate (oil) from Los Angeles. The substance was shipped in multiple smaller parcels to addresses across Widnes and Liverpool, disguised as everyday items such as honey, cosmetic products such as shampoos and conditioners, and even lava lamps.
Further enquiries revealed Jones was managing the OCG alongside his associate, Kevin Martindale. Together, they controlled a stash house and oversaw a network of couriers responsible for transporting drugs and cash across England and Wales.
Key Members and Their Roles
Covert officers observed Jones and Martindale conduct regular meetings at local cafés. Martindale, a plasterer by trade, used his legitimate work to try and conceal his criminal enterprise. Leon Phillips was also identified as a key member of the group. Surveillance at his home address showed multiple OCG members visiting regularly, collecting packages before making significant journeys, indicating they were collecting drugs from the stash for onward distribution.
Peter Jensen and Jack Jones acted as the primary couriers for the group. They hired vehicles to transport multi-kilo amounts of drugs and large quantities of counterfeit cigarettes to locations across the UK, including North Wales, South Wales, Cheltenham, Birmingham, and Manchester. Meanwhile, Colin Dolman was identified as a street-level dealer, regularly supplying drugs to users in the local area.
Brandon McCann was one of the OCG’s major customers, controlling a supply line within Widnes. During the conspiracy he purchased at least 10kg of cocaine from Jones and Martindale. He then controlled dealers to distribute the drugs throughout the town.
Lavish Lifestyles and Detailed Notes
Jones and Martindale would go on to pool these profits from their criminal enterprise to fund lavish lifestyles, including property renovations, luxury holidays, and high-end designer clothing and jewellery. Detectives also recovered detailed notes kept by Jones, revealing he had been involved in the transfer of at least £1.2 million worth of cash and commodities during the conspiracy.
Arrests and Sentencing
In May 2025, Jones travelled to Dubai. In his absence, another member of the OCG, Kevin Smith, was entrusted with the ‘graft’ phone, used to manage the supply network. Acting on Jones’ instructions, Smith directed Jensen to collect a significant quantity of drugs from Kent on June 6, 2025. Jensen hired a car from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and travelled to Kent. After collecting the package, and securing it in the back seat, he began the return journey to Widnes, maintaining regular contact with Smith and even sent him a voice note asking how much he would receive in wages for the pickup.
However, while travelling on the M6 near Sandbach, Jensen was stopped by officers from Cheshire Police. He was arrested and the package, containing 20kg of cocaine, was seized. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and pleaded guilty as a result of the overwhelming evidence gathered against him. The drugs were analysed by a force specialist who estimated their wholesale value at between £340,000 and £600,000. At street-level distribution, their value could exceed £2.8m.
Startled by Jensen’s arrest, Martindale booked a last-minute flight from Manchester to Malta. Two weeks later, he travelled to Cyprus to meet with Jones and remained out of the country for a number of weeks, before returning home to Widnes. On October 28, 2025, Jones flew back into the UK via Manchester airport.
With the OCG once again operating on UK soil, Cheshire Police conducted coordinated dawn raids at 11 addresses on November 8, 2025, resulting in the arrest of seven men. Colin Jones, Kevin Martindale, Leon Phillips, Jack Jones, Colin Dolman, Brandon McCann, and Kevin Smith were all subsequently charged for their respective roles in the drugs conspiracy. On November 11, 2025, officers arrested Gary Holding at a hotel in Leeds. He was identified as a cannabis supplier for the OCG, using the imported cannabis oil to produce THC vapes and edibles, as well as supplying large quantities of cannabis. He was also charged in connection with the conspiracy.
Faced with a comprehensive case file of evidence, all men were left with no option but to plead guilty to the charges put to them. Eight of the men appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, June 26. They were each individually sentenced to the following: Colin Jones, 38, of Parklands, Widnes, was sentenced to 17 years; Kevin Martindale, 40, of Browning Avenue, Widnes, was sentenced to 15 years; Kevin Smith, 37, of Goodall Street, Liverpool, was sentenced to eight years and four months; Leon Phillips, 43, of Liebig Court, Widnes, was sentenced to eight years; Jack Jones, 29, of Melville Close, Widnes, was sentenced to five years and three months; Brandon McCann, 23, of Milton Avenue, Widnes, was sentenced to four years and five months; Gary Holding, 48, of The Glen, Runcorn, was sentenced to three years; Colin Dolman, 53, Stewards Avenue, Widnes, was sentenced to two years and eight months. The ninth member of the OCG, Peter Jensen, 38, of Parbold Court, Widnes, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, July 31, 2025, after he had earlier pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine).
