Drugs Ring Busted: Niall Chinnock and Couple Nabbed for £240k Cocaine Supply
Wellingborough Drug Trio Caught Red-Handed
Niall Chinnock, 49, teamed up with Zoe Hutson, 35, and Kirt Hutson, 37, in a massive cocaine conspiracy. The trio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine last November. Chinnock was the mastermind, using the encrypted EncroChat platform to buy wholesale cocaine doses. He then passed the stash to other dealers across Northamptonshire.
EncroChat and a Secret Storage Spot
EncroChat was the go-to gizmo for organised crime gangs across Europe, offering secure messaging for dodgy deals. Over ten weeks in spring 2020, Chinnock bought a staggering 6kg of cocaine with it. But he needed somewhere to hide his loot. Enter Zoe and Kirt Hutson of Elizabeth Close, who gave him access to their home to stash drugs from January 2020 onwards. They even let him keep a key, allowing free access.
Police Sting and Big Finds
The gang’s luck ran out on 27 May 2020. At 11:30am, cops stopped Chinnock in a white Peugeot Partner van near Stanwick on the A45. Inside were four bags of top-grade cocaine, likely sample packs for dealers. Officials also seized two phones, including one loaded with EncroChat.
A search of the Hutsons’ house uncovered two rucksacks on a spare room wardrobe. Each contained a safe, and one held a kilogram of cocaine worth £80,000. They found more bags of cocaine worth £6,000, £34,000 in cash, disposable gloves, and elastic bands. Elsewhere in the property, police seized scales, resealable dealer bags, and smaller cocaine amounts.
Heavy Sentences and Police Praise
At Northampton Crown Court this week, Chinnock got a hefty 10-year jail sentence. The Hutsons both received four years inside. Lead investigator Hazel Score from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit commented:
“Niall Chinnock used sophisticated means to run his drugs business. In just ten weeks, he spent over £240,000 importing cocaine into Northamptonshire for profit. The Hutsons played a key role, letting him stash drugs and cash away from his own home, helping sales. I hope they all reflect on their poor choices during their time inside. Tackling drug supply remains a top police priority, and we’re pleased to have dismantled this high-volume network.”
