Two brothers heading a major drug gang have been nailed after cops cracked the secret messaging app EncroChat, exposing a stash of Class A deals worth tens of kilos.
Encrypted Chats Blow Gang’s Cover
Aaron and Gray Elcombe hid behind code names like Tasteful Revolver, Urban Bonsai, and Striking Boat on the encrypted EncroChat network. They used the service to mastermind the buying and selling of at least 60 kilograms of cocaine across Kent and beyond.
The secret app was finally cracked in spring 2020 by an international police taskforce. Some messages were passed to UK cops, who monitored the brothers’ illicit exchanges — including cash handovers and drug deliveries.
Brothers Jailed for Over a Decade
On Monday 6 November 2023, Gray Elcombe, 54, was locked up for 12 years and six months. He admitted involvement in cocaine supply and possessing criminal property — including £5,000 in seized cash.
His brother Aaron, 46, was handed 11 years and nine months for conspiracy to supply cocaine. Additional charges related to amphetamines and ketamine remain on file.
Another gang member, Glyn Taylor, 44, from maidstone/" title="Maidstone" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Maidstone, got five years for drug supply offences.
Confident Gang Caught Out
Detective Constable Simon Harrold said: “Gray and Aaron Elcombe led an organised crime gang supplying drugs at wholesale scale. They committed these crimes while on licence after previous drug convictions, thinking they were untouchable using encrypted messaging.”
“That misplaced confidence gave us the evidence to bring them down. This operation ran throughout 2020 and stretched beyond Kent. We’re now moving to seize their criminal profits and assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”
Three other offenders linked to the same investigation were jailed earlier, racking up a combined 22 years behind bars.
