UK Drug Kingpin Jailed in EncroChat Takedown
Patrick Ince, 57, from Dartford, Kent, has been locked up for 20 years after police smashed a major drug network using the encrypted messaging app EncroChat. The Organised Crime Partnership—a joint effort between the National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police—uncovered Ince’s reign over a massive cocaine and ketamine supply operation across south-east England.
£4.5 Million Drug Empire Busted
Ince ran the show, distributing over 150 kilos of cocaine and handling around £4.5 million in cash. His gang also pushed ketamine in smaller quantities. Five other crooks linked to the ring have already copped a total of 68 years behind bars, with the full story only now coming to light as court restrictions lift.
The Network: Couriers, Dealers & Cash Launderers
- Ince’s right-hand man was Mark Eldridge, 53, from West Wickham, Kent.
- Trusted couriers included 77-year-old Anthony Smith from Greenhithe and the late Michael Kelleher from Plumstead.
- Drugs were supplied to dealers William James (35) from Crowthorne, Berkshire, and Richard Wilmot (42) from Ascot.
- Nathan Matheson (35) from Bracknell acted as a courier and store person for James.
Smith, aka ‘Stan Hill’ (a nickname tied to his 2013 stint with Ince in HMP Standford Hill), was ordered to deliver £2 million worth of cocaine and £127,000 in cash across London, Essex, Birmingham, Cornwall, and Glasgow.
Crime Partnership Breaks the Supply Chain
James and Wilmot together moved £3.5 million worth of cocaine in London and Berkshire, plus 15 kilos of ketamine valued at £600,000. They laundered more than £1 million in dirty cash linked to the drug ring.
All suspects were arrested in April 2023, except Ince who went on the run and Smith who was already in custody. Ince was caught in Plumstead in October and charged with conspiracy to supply drugs and criminal property offences.
Wilmot and James pleaded guilty in May at Kingston Crown Court, Eldridge in September, Ince this February, while Matheson and Smith were convicted after trial in December. Sentences totaling 68 years were handed down in January, with Ince’s 20-year term coming in 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, enabling drugs to seep into communities where they would drive high levels of violence and intimidation.
Our investigation tore this organised crime group apart and in doing so removed a significant wholesale supplier for dealers across the country.”
