Organised Crime Boss Jailed for Guns and Drugs on Encrypted Chats
Michael Derrane, 50, used the secret messaging app EncroChat to mastermind a weapons and drugs empire. The Morpeth man organised, supplied, and moved firearms along with multiple kilos of class A and B drugs — selling them wholesale to criminals for big profit.
Encrypted Evidence Nails Derrane’s Crime Spree
Police uncovered encrypted messages linking Derrane to serious organised crime networks across newcastle/" title="Newcastle" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Newcastle, Manchester, and Leeds. He was locked up for 19 years and two months after pleading guilty to conspiring to transfer prohibited firearms and supply heroin, cocaine, and cannabis.
The haul included a deadly 123 fully automatic firearm, ammunition, class B drugs, and a £6,000 cash stash.
Accomplice Busted Trying to Buy Guns
On July 2, 2020, Alsi Vata, 26, was arrested by NCA officers — even with the former Home Secretary present — as he tried to score an illegal firearm and cash. Vata, from London, admitted conspiracy to transfer firearms, possession of prohibited weapons, and conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.
During the bust, Vata was heard saying: “That’s all they have to wait and I just need 2 bullets in a gun.”
Prosecutors Crack Down on Drug and Gun Crime
Hilary Ryan, Specialist Prosecutor, said: “This was a complex and challenging case but, thanks to our investigators and prosecutors, the conviction and sentencing of Derrane and Vata removes two dangerous criminals from the streets.”
“Their crimes were all about cash, with no care for the addiction, fear, injury, or death their guns and drugs cause.”
