Drug Duo Busted After Secret Chats Cracked
Between March and June 2020, Robert Shearmur and Harry Darke ran a ruthless drugs empire using an encrypted phone. They bought kilos of cocaine and ketamine, selling it to dealers for hefty profits.
Encrypted Messages Expose Crime Network
International enforcement agencies cracked their secure chat system, tipping off the National Crime Agency. Detectives from Kent and Essex swooped after tracing messages from suspects codenamed ‘Basilowl’ and ‘Lizardfoot’—the aliases of Shearmur and Darke.
Their texts also hinted they planned to stash illegal gains into property development.
Arrests, Drugs, and Deadly Weapons Found
- Shearmur was nabbed on 9 November 2021; cops found a block of ketamine in his van.
- A search of his house uncovered a Taser, pepper spray, and a machete.
- Darke was caught six days later; police discovered a joint bank account holding £140,000 in 2021.
Heavy Sentences for Drug Lords
Both men, from Kent addresses, faced serious charges of supplying cocaine and ketamine. Evidence showed they dealt around 20 kilos of cocaine and 4 kilos of ketamine in just 52 days.
At Maidstone Crown Court, Shearmur, 34, and Darke, 27, pleaded guilty. On 10 October 2022, Shearmur was jailed for 13 years and six months, Darke got 12 years behind bars.
Detective Constable Freddie Elpass-Collins said: “These two men ran a highly profitable business supplying considerable quantities of drugs to other dealers. They thought they were untouchable using encrypted messages and planned to launder profits through property. Their confidence was their downfall. They are now serving time.”
“We will use the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize cash and assets gained through their illegal trade.”
