Man who used secret chat to sell guns and drugs jailed

Robert Duff

A man has been jailed for 12 years after using a secret chat network to sell drugs and firearms.

Robert Duff, of Hoole Lane, Chester, operated under the handle "Tommybooth" on EncroChat - a secretive communications network used by criminals - to partake in a large-scale drugs conspiracy.

The 32-year-old was identified on the encrypted device suppling cocaine, cannabis, and firearms over a period of three months.

He was sentenced for 12 years and six months at Chester Crown Court on Monday for conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and conspiracy to transfer prohibited weapons.

EncroChat, used exclusively by serious and organised criminals, was cracked by international law enforcement in May 2020.

Data from March to June 2020, showed Duff using EncroChat to operate as a high-level broker of drugs and firearms.

He conspired to facilitate the supply of 7.5kg (16.5lb) of cocaine, acting as a broker, sitting between the seller and end purchaser, Cheshire Police said.

He also ran his own multi-kilo cannabis supply operation in the Chester area, supplying 27.5kg (60.6lb) of cannabis during the EncroChat capture period.

Duff was also circulating firearms on the secret chat network

Duff also conspired to act as a broker for firearms, including AK47 assault rifles and sub machine guns.

He circulated a "firearms shopping list" and images of the weapons around his EncroChat contacts, offering them for sale.

Det Ch Insp Nick Henderson said Duff was "motivated to become a key player like his associates".

He said: "This is part of a long running operation to strike at the heart of gangs who peddle drugs on a large-scale, causing misery and pain in our communities for their own monetary gain.

"Thanks to this hard work, he is now facing a lengthy spell behind bars.

"We will continue to pursue drug dealers and those instrumental in the distribution of illegal drugs to protect the public from harm."