Drug Gang Busted Using Secret EncroChat Network to Flood Northamptonshire with Cocaine
Ringleader Niall Chinnock and Accomplices Nabbed
Niall Chinnock, 49, along with Zoe Hutson, 35, and Kirt Hutson, 37, all ex-residents of Wellingborough, pleaded guilty last November to conspiracy to supply cocaine. Chinnock, the gang’s ringleader, exploited the encrypted EncroChat platform to buy wholesale cocaine. He then passed the stash on to other dealers across Northamptonshire.
EncroChat – The Criminals’ Secret Weapon
EncroChat was a Europe-wide encrypted messaging service favoured by organised crime to plan illegal operations. Between March 31 and May 27, 2020, Chinnock used the service to buy a whopping 6kg of high-purity cocaine. But he needed somewhere safe to stash the drugs.
Hutsons’ House Used as Cocaine HQ
Enter Zoe and Kirt Hutson, who let Chinnock use their Elizabeth Close home to store the haul from January 2020 onwards. They handed him a key and gave him free rein to come and go as he pleased – crucial to keeping the operation under wraps.
Police Strike and Heavy Sentences
The trio were caught red-handed on May 27, 2020. At 11:30am, Chinnock was stopped near the A45 in a white Peugeot Partner van, found with four bags of ultra-pure cocaine, suspected samples for his buyers. Police also seized two phones, including an encrypted EncroChat device.
Raiders descended on the Hutsons’ pad, uncovering two rucksacks containing safes, one hiding a kilo block of cocaine worth £80,000. Alongside were more cocaine bags worth thousands, £34,000 cash, gloves, elastic bands, drug scales, and dealer bags scattered throughout the house.
At Northampton Crown Court on January 28, Chinnock was handed a ten-year stretch, while the Hutsons got four years each.
Lead Investigator Hazel Score from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit said: “Niall Chinnock used sophisticated means to run his drug business. In just 10 weeks, he spent over £240,000 importing cocaine into Northamptonshire.”
“The Hutsons played a key role, letting him stash drugs and cash away from his home, helping the trade run smoothly.”
“I hope they all reflect on their poor choices behind bars. Tackling drug supply remains a police priority, and we’re pleased to have smashed this major network.”
