Drug Kingpin Jailed for 20 Years in Huge Crackdown on UK Cocaine Network
Encrypted Messaging Brought Down Massive Drug Ring
Patrick Ince, 57, from Dartford, Kent, was the mastermind behind a sprawling cocaine empire exposed by the Organised Crime Partnership—a joint effort between the National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police. Ince used the encrypted platform EncroChat to run the illegal operation.
The takedown was part of Operation Venetic, the UK’s law enforcement response to the collapse of EncroChat’s secure service.
£4.5 Million Cocaine Empire Busted Across South East
Ince’s gang handled over 150 kilos of cocaine and moved around £4.5 million in cash. They also supplied ketamine in smaller amounts throughout south east England.
Key members include:
- Mark Eldridge, 53, from West Wickham, Kent
- Trusted couriers Anthony Smith, 77, of Greenhithe, and the late Michael Kelleher of Plumstead
- Dealers William James, 35, from Crowthorne, Berkshire, and Richard Wilmot, 42, from Ascot
- Nathan Matheson, 35, from Bracknell, who helped as a courier and store person
Nationwide Supply Chain With Couriers Covering London to Glasgow
Smith was ordered via EncroChat to deliver £2 million worth of cocaine and £127,000 in cash across London, Essex, Birmingham, Cornwall, and Glasgow. Known as ‘Stan Hill’ in Ince’s contacts, the pair reportedly met while serving time at HMP Standford Hill in 2013.
James and Wilmot supplied £3.5 million in cocaine and 15 kilos of ketamine—worth around £600,000—to dealers in London and Berkshire. They also laundered over £1 million tied to these drug deals.
Crackdown Yields More Than 68 Years Behind Bars
Most of the gang was arrested on 21 April last year, except Ince, who fled, and Smith, already remanded in prison. Ince was eventually caught in Plumstead on 28 October.
All were charged with conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and money laundering.
The sentencing saw:
- Wilmot, James, Eldridge, Smith, and Matheson jailed for a combined 68 years in January
- Patrick Ince sentenced to 20 years on 7 April
Andrew Tickner from the Organised Crime Partnership said:
“Patrick Ince, along with his right-hand man Mark Eldridge, arranged the movement of cocaine worth tens of millions of pounds. The tentacles of their gang stretched across the UK, fuelling violence and intimidation in communities. Our investigation tore this organised crime group apart, removing a major wholesale supplier for dealers nationwide.”
