A man who supplied firearms to organised crime groups across the UK has been jailed for more than 19 years as part of a National Crime Agency investigation under Operation Venetic

Liam Cooper

Using the encrypted communications platform EncroChat, Michael Derrane, 50, orchestrated, supplied and transferred firearms and multiple kilos of class A and B drugs wholesale, selling them on to criminals for a profit.

Evidence from encrypted messages showed Derrane, from Morpeth, was well known to serious organised crime groups in Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, the Midlands, and London and would travel up to 700 miles to exchange illicit goods.

Stay connected to UKNIP via Google News

ENJOYED THIS STORY? Choose UKNIP as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

More from Leeds Crown Court

View all Leeds Crown Court coverage

More from Leeds Crown Court

View all Leeds Crown Court coverage

We are your go-to destination for breaking UK news, real-life stories from communities across the country, striking images, and must-see video from the heart of the action.

Follow us on Facebook at for the latest updates and developing stories, and stay connected on X (Twitter) the for live coverage as news breaks across the UK.

Topics :Courts Crime Fire

Your information will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy

A man who supplied firearms to organised crime groups across the UK has been jailed for more than 19 years as part of a National Crime Agency investigation under Operation Venetic

More from Leeds Crown Court

More from Leeds Crown Court

DANGEROUS POWER US Tight-Lipped on Russia and China Backing Iran in Middle East Showdown

FAST FOOD BAN Brighton Seafront to Get “Healthy Eating Zones” in Food Overhaul

HEALTHWATCH Blood Cancer Ward Shake-up Sparks Outcry at Princess Royal Hospital

BULLET CONCERNS Shock claim in Charlie Kirk murder case – bullet may not match accused’s gun!

CHOKING SMOKE Firefighters Battle Fierce Blaze on Bradford Road, Otley

SUPPLY CHAIN NHS Sound Alarm Over Imminent Medical Equipment Shortages Amid Iran Conflict

Woman Attacks DJ On French Beach Over Loud Morning Music

FUNNY BONES Dog Walker Stumbles on Possible Jaw Bone in Bradford City Centre

BLUE RINSED Police Hunt Midnight Break-In Baddie at Hastings Hair Salon

Sussex Police Officer Fired for Sexual Misconduct Following Gross Misconduct Hearing

UBER RAPIST Uber Eats Driver Jailed for Rape After Returning to Customer’s Home

Uber Eats Driver Jailed for Rape After Returning to Customer’s Home

DRUGS AND GUN HAUL Man Locked Up for Eight Years Over Forest of Dean Drugs and Guns Bust

Man Locked Up for Eight Years Over Forest of Dean Drugs and Guns Bust

FLASHER PROBE Shock on Train as Man Exposes Himself Between Grove Park and Sevenoaks

Shock on Train as Man Exposes Himself Between Grove Park and Sevenoaks

CRACK STASH Peterborough Drug Dealer Busted with Heroin and Crack Stash

Peterborough Drug Dealer Busted with Heroin and Crack Stash

STREET BRAWL Five-Jet Gang Stab Man in Brutal Southampton Attack

Five-Jet Gang Stab Man in Brutal Southampton Attack

SHOCKING HAUL Aberdeen Man Slapped with Six-Year Jail Term After Heroin and Weapons Found in Car

Aberdeen Man Slapped with Six-Year Jail Term After Heroin and Weapons Found in Car

MURDER CHARGE Teen Charged with Murder After Man Stabbed to Death in Westminster

Teen Charged with Murder After Man Stabbed to Death in Westminster

HEAD ON FATAL Driver Sentenced to Over Seven Years for Deadly Head-On Crash

Driver Sentenced to Over Seven Years for Deadly Head-On Crash

NOT JUST STUPID BUT TWICE Drug Dealer Jailed for Five Years After Twice Busted with Class A

Drug Dealer Jailed for Five Years After Twice Busted with Class A