George Powell, 40, of Hillside Road, Southport, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine and heroin).
Powell was arrested at Manchester Airport on 21 July last year, after being identified as the user of the Encrochat handle ‘skint-harry.
He was identified as the user of that handle based on personal information he disclosed in the messages, such as information about relatives, addresses, and vehicles associated with him.
At a previous hearing, he pleaded guilty to the aforementioned offences and admitted to conspiring to supply 9kg cocaine and 5kg heroin between March and June 2020.
“Powell’s Encrochat messages revealed his clear involvement as a leading figure in drug conspiracies that could have caused suffering to families and residents in our community,” said Detective Inspector Peter McCullough.
We know the destruction that drug supply causes, and Merseyside Police remains relentless in our pursuit of these criminals and to bring down serious and organised criminal groups,” said Merseyside Police.
Anyone with information about drug dealing is asked to contact @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers, which can be reached anonymously at 0800 555 111.
