Dealer jailed over heroin and cocaine conspiracy

Ian Fitzgibbon, 29, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine

A drug dealer was caught after detectives linked him to a number supplying large quantities of heroin and cocaine over an encrypted phone network.

Ian Fitzgibbon, formerly of St Helens, was using the handle Vimto-Hawk on the EncroChat network.

The 29-year-old, who last year was cleared of being involved in the murder of Knowsley council worker Ashley Dale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply the Class A drugs.

He was jailed for 14 and a half years at Liverpool Crown Court.

'Relentless'

Detectives were able to identify Fitzgibbon as the user of the Vimto-Hawk handle after discovering other EncroChat users had the number saved in their devices.

Following his arrest, about £12,000 in cash was seized from a linked property, Merseyside Police said.

Det Ch Insp Cath Cummings said Fitzgibbon "clearly thought he could hide behind this EncroChat handle".

"Sadly for him this wasn’t the case and we were able to prove that he was behind the supply of 19kg (41lb) of cocaine and 21kg (46lb) of heroin," she said.

"He now becomes the latest person to receive a lengthy jail sentence for thinking they could use an encrypted device to supply drugs and evade detection.

"Let me be clear: these people don’t care about anyone but themselves.

"Their drugs supply causes misery and harm to the most vulnerable people in our communities and we are determined to stop them.

"We know the devastation that drugs cause and Merseyside Police remains relentless in our pursuit of serious organised crime groups and ending their drugs trade.

"I hope this sentencing shows that our officers will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of these people who think they are above the law."