Father and Son Jailed in Massive Cocaine Supply Bust
A father and son duo from Maidstone have been locked up for their part in a major drugs gang. Ashley Steel, 61, and son James Steel, 40, used the encrypted messaging app EncroChat to push huge amounts of cocaine. They worked with associate Danny Devall, 36, moving drugs and cash hidden in secret vehicle compartments.
EncroChat Sting Cracks Open Crime Network
In 2020, international police cracked EncroChat, a popular secret chat platform used by criminals. Wiretaps revealed James and Devall using aliases like Wonderfulninja, Minorlobster, and Prizelake to set up drug deals. Their illegal activity was traced back to Ashley Steel’s properties, where drugs and cash were exchanged.
£50k Cash, Speedboat, and Drugs Seized
On April 25, 2024, Kent Police raided multiple locations. At James Steel’s Sutton Valence home, they found over £50,000 in cash, luxury motorbikes, and a speedboat. Ashley Steel’s Maidstone addresses yielded 10kg of cannabis, 150g of cocaine, and £5,000 in cash, along with drug business units near Kingswood.
Prison Sentences Handed Down
- James Steel pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, possession of cannabis, and possession of criminal property. He got 8 years and 4 months.
- Danny Devall admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and was jailed for 8 years and 7 months.
- Ashley Steel pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, plus having a knuckle duster. He was sentenced to 2 years and 2 months.
Police Warn: Encrypted Chats No Longer Safe Haven
Detective Constable Mark Simcox said: “James Steel and Danny Devall played key roles in a wholesale drug network. They used EncroChat to act with impunity, pushing drugs worth hundreds of thousands. We’ll now go after their cash and assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
EncroChat Crackdown Rocks Criminal Underworld
The global takedown of EncroChat has exposed and dismantled countless criminal empires. This latest conviction is a clear warning: organised crime’s days of hiding behind encrypted messaging are numbered.
