Major Crackdown: Samuel Black Jailed for 21 Years Over Deadly Gun and Drug Ring
Samuel Black, 28, of Dormers Rise, Ealing, has been slammed with a brutal 21-and-a-half-year prison sentence. The sentence comes after he was found guilty of running a dangerous drug and firearms empire in west London, using the encrypted platform Enrochat to evade the law.
Massive Firearms and Drugs Haul
From April to June 2020, Black peddled a deadly arsenal including a .38 Revolver and a semi-automatic Walther PPK. He was also linked to 9mm Glocks and flooded the streets with over 14.75kg of cocaine and 60kg of high-strength skunk cannabis.
Shockingly, cops found he moved a staggering £2 million in cash. This operation was no small-time hustle — it was a full-scale criminal juggernaut.
Encrypted Chat Crackdown Thwarts Black’s Reign
Specialist Crime officers and Met Intelligence locked onto Black thanks to key intel from European partners who hacked the Encrochat network in 2020. Black’s aliases ‘SAVAGETOPS’ and ‘EUROSANDPOUNDS’ were flagged for both firearms and drug dealings.
Detectives used clever sleuthing by matching photos of money-filled living rooms and bedrooms shared on Encrochat to a property Black stayed in. Black’s own online arrogance gave him away — he posted images of his PlayStation 4, his TV screen showing the username ‘Crack_west6’, and even a rare selfie directly from his device.
Community Safety Wins as Black’s Empire Falls
“Black’s reckless pursuit of profit caused untold violence and devastation,” said Detective Inspector Driss Hayoukane of Operation Eternal. “His conviction prevents further harm to our communities and sends a clear message that criminals cannot hide behind encryption.”
This landmark bust proves the Met and its partners are relentless in tackling illegal arms and drug networks, making London safer for all.