Drug Duo’s Crypto Crime Ring Crushed by Cops
Robert Shearmur and Harry Darke’s secret encrypted phone chats turned into their undoing. Between March and June 2020, the pair ran a booming drug business, moving kilos of cocaine and ketamine to dealers across the UK for hefty profits.
Encrypted Chats Exposed by International Sting
Their supposedly secure messages, using nicknames ‘Basilowl’ and ‘Lizardfoot’, were cracked by global law enforcement. The intel was handed to the National Crime Agency, who tipped off Kent and Essex Serious Crime squads.
Detectives uncovered plans revealing the drug gains were set for property investment – a classic move to launder dirty cash.
Arrest and Raid Uncover Weapons and £140k Bank Pot
- Shearmur was hauled in on 9 November 2021; cops found a block of ketamine stashed in his van.
- His home search revealed a Taser, pepper spray, and machete.
- Darke was caught six days later.
- Documents pointed to a joint £140,000 bank account in 2021, funded by their crime spree.
Hefty Jail Time for Drug Kingpins
The duo, from Tonbridge and Lower Halstow, copped charges over cocaine and ketamine supply. During 52 days, they moved 20 kilos of coke and 4 kilos of ketamine.
They pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court. On 10 October 2022, Shearmur got 13 years and 6 months behind bars. Darke was locked up for 12 years.
Detective Constable Freddie Elpass-Collins said: “These two men ran a highly profitable business supplying considerable quantities of drugs to other dealers. “They felt untouchable using encrypted communications and trying to launder money through property deals. But their confidence was misplaced — now they’re paying the price. “We’ll also be using the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize cash and assets they bought with their illegal profits.”
