A notorious drug dealer who attempted to evade justice by fleeing the United Kingdom to Spain and Mexico has been apprehended and subsequently sentenced to prison. Christopher Ashurst, a key player in the illicit drug trade, has been implicated in the distribution of substantial quantities of cocaine, heroin, ketamine, and cannabis, with an estimated street value reaching hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Ashurst’s capture and conviction were the result of Operation Venetic, an ongoing national campaign against organised crime. This operation gained momentum following the dismantling of Encrochat, a bespoke encrypted global communication service exclusively used by criminals. Encrochat was renowned as one of the largest providers of encrypted communication services, offering secure mobile phone instant messaging.
