A drug dealer who used secret communications network EncroChat as a medium to supply class A and B drugs has been jailed for 18 years.

Jamie Joseph Veale of Widnes, Liverpool, supplied 17kg of cocaine through an encrypted device using the codename “Monstermunchman” back in 2020.

The 32-year-old ran his large-scale conspiracy through EncroChat where he negotiated prices for bulk amounts of class A drugs from those who imported them into the country.

The encrypted phone service with a large base of organised criminals was abruptly shut down in June 2020, leading to a huge operation where Veale was identified as a suspect.

From 19 May to 13 June 2020, Veale was found to have been using the network to conduct his illicit activities.

Police combed through messages Veale sent under his nickname and collected evidence against him.

Veale was also found to have boasted about staying in luxury overseas villas, going on extravagant holidays, owning a jet ski and owned many designer watches, despite not having any visible signs of income.

On 29 June 2020, police searched Veale’s property discovering money, loads of designer jewellery and clothing, mobile phones and drug-related paraphernalia.

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He was subsequently arrested and charged with drug supply offences.

Detective Sergeant Christian Gordon said Veale “was responsible for the supply of a substantial amount of cocaine and ran his conspiracy through a platform he believed would keep him under the radar”.

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He added: “Thanks to this hard work, he is now facing a lengthy spell behind bars.”

The closure of EncroChat resulted in more than 6,500 arrests and €900m (£771m) in seized assets.

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