Four “Professional Drug Dealers” Jailed for Nearly Half a Century After Massive Sussex Bust
Encrypted Chat Sting Brings Down Major Drug Ring
Four men exposed as key players in a sprawling Sussex drug network have been hit with a combined 48-year prison sentence. The operation was cracked wide open thanks to the takedown of EncroChat, the encrypted messaging platform criminals once trusted to dodge the cops.
Mitch Mellor (44), Ioannis Melitsis (48), Steven Morley (46), and Hafiz Irfan (44) all admitted to playing major roles in pushing Class A and B drugs, including cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, and amphetamines.
Judge Slams “Profit-Driven” Drug Dealers
At Lewes Crown Court, Judge Stephen Mooney didn’t mince his words. He blasted the crew as “a loose affiliation of dedicated drug suppliers” who cared only about cash, ignoring the havoc their drugs wreaked on communities.
“To put it bluntly you were all… professional drug dealers motivated solely by profit and entirely unconcerned about the huge impact of drug abuse.”
Sentences Handed Down – Who Got What?
- Steven Morley (East Grinstead) – 14 years. Found with £180k cash. Known as “incrediblehorse” on EncroChat. Pleaded guilty to 11 charges, including drug supply, production, firearms possession, and electricity theft.
- Hafiz Irfan (Crawley) – 9 years. £100k cash seized. Username “snowtart”. Admitted six offences including drug supply and money laundering.
- Mitch Mellor (Lancing) – 13½ years. Caught with 12.7kg cannabis and £10k cash. Known as “speedyballoon” & “easternotter”. Pleaded guilty to nine charges including multi-drug supply and money laundering.
- Ioannis Melitsis (Hove) – 12 years. Arrested at Heathrow returning from Miami. Username “metalica”. Admitted 11 charges including supply and production of cocaine, methamphetamine, and ketamine.
Police Praise “Complex, Sophisticated” Investigation
Chief Superintendent Imran Asghar praised the Serious Organised Crime Unit’s work, highlighting the scale and cunning of the ring.
“This was a complex investigation led by our Serious Organised Crime Unit to tackle a sophisticated group supplying Class A and B drugs in our communities. These men worked together and separately to supply harmful drugs which have a devastating impact. Vulnerable people are often exploited, and we will continue to target those responsible.”
With these key players locked up, Sussex police aim to cripple the pipeline of dangerous drugs flooding local streets.
