Drug Duo Busted After Encrypted Phone Sting
Gavin Calloway and Charles Hodges have been locked up for importing and selling cocaine across Kent. The pair used the encrypted phone service EncroChat to run their drug empire – but police cracked the system in 2020, leading to their downfall.
Encrypted Chat Leads Cops Straight to Dealers
When French and Dutch authorities broke EncroChat, massive troves of user data were seized. The National Crime Agency passed this information to Kent Police, who’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit quickly zeroed in on Calloway and Hodges.
Calloway, 34, from Whitstable, was sentenced to 10 years. Hodges, 43, from Herne Bay, got nine years at Canterbury Crown Court on 17 September 2021. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import and supply cocaine.
£250k Worth of Coke Smuggled in Paintings and Books
Between March and June 2020, almost 3kg of cocaine was smuggled into the UK using cunning methods – hidden inside paintings and books. Calloway communicated directly with a Thai dealer, using the handle ‘legallemur’.
Messages revealed the drug gang had “loads of addresses lined up” to distribute the haul worth up to £250,000. Hodges used the aliases ‘minorbuffalo’ and ‘palmvalley’.
Police Raids Uncover Drugs, Cash and Paraphernalia
- January 2021: Calloway arrested in Herne Bay with tablets of Etizolam, cocaine, gloves and bank cards.
- Sandwich raid: £9,840 cash found hidden in a bag on a wardrobe, alongside drugs.
- Whitstable farm: Hodges arrested; cocaine found in his static caravan.
“Calloway and Hodges went to great lengths to import a large amount of cocaine into the country in order to turn a profit,” said Detective Constable Rebecca Veares.
“Many criminals thought EncroChat would keep them safe, but authorities have shown they can infiltrate these networks.”
“Calloway dealt with significant criminals worldwide and recruited Hodges. Without this bust, they’d likely still be running their dirty business.”
Thanks to the takedown, two major players in Kent’s drug trade are behind bars and off the streets.
