Three men involved in large-scale drug trafficking and discussions around the acquisition and exchange of firearms have been jailed for a combined total of 75 years following a National Crime Agency investigation.
At Bolton Crown Court on Thursday, Carl Ian Jones, 59, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, Harly Wise, 29, received a 25-year sentence, and Naginder Gill, 47, was jailed for 20 years. All three had used the encrypted communications platform EncroChat to coordinate a range of serious criminal activity, including drugs supply and firearms offences.
The convictions form part of Operation Venetic, the UK law enforcement response to EncroChat, which was dismantled in 2020. Analysis of encrypted messages revealed the scale and seriousness of the group’s offending, including discussions about trading firearms and moving significant quantities of Class A and B drugs.
According to the NCA, Jones attempted to broker a deal involving an AR15-style rifle and ammunition, and also asked a contact to store weapons at a property he owned in Mallorca. Messages showed that Jones and Wise discussed trading firearms including AK47s and an Uzi-type submachine gun.
In a separate incident in May 2020, Wise arranged the sale of two 9mm handguns and ammunition to another EncroChat user, agreeing to an exchange in south London. Two other men involved in that transaction were later sentenced to 12 and six years respectively.
Investigators also uncovered extensive evidence of drug distribution. Jones and Wise acted as facilitators, arranging the movement of drugs between suppliers and buyers for profit. Gill was involved in conspiracies to supply a range of controlled substances.
Wise additionally admitted conspiring to kidnap a rival drug dealer over a disputed £350,000 debt, with EncroChat messages detailing planning meetings and threats of violence.
NCA branch commander Jon Hughes said the case illustrated the risks posed by organised crime groups. “These men are extremely dangerous offenders and the streets are safer now they’re in prison,” he said. “We’ve seen in recent years that entirely innocent victims can be tragically caught in the crossfire of feuding organised crime groups.”
He added that drug and firearms offences were often closely linked. “Drugs and firearms crimes are often interconnected. The NCA will continue to work with partners at home and abroad to protect the public from these threats.”
The case highlights the continuing impact of Operation Venetic, with law enforcement agencies still bringing prosecutions years after the EncroChat platform was taken offline.
