A Merseyside man has been locked up for 13 years after police nabbed him stepping off a flight from Dubai. James Hitchmough, 35, was caught thanks to messages he sent on the now-defunct encrypted device network, EncroChat.
Massive Drug Ring Busted in Operation Aquarium
Hitchmough, from Roby, was part of Operation Aquarium, Merseyside’s response to international crackdown Operation Venetic targeting criminals using EncroChat to dodge the law. Between March and June 2020, he conspired to supply huge amounts of cocaine, heroin, and cannabis.
- Used the Aliases: BRUTALHWALE and ROLL-PLAY
- Communicated with over 50 EncroChat users
- Co-ordinated sale of 64.5kg cocaine, 37.5kg heroin, and 33kg cannabis
- Handled illegal money transfers totalling £2.4 million
Investigators tracked Hitchmough’s movements using clues from the messages. He lived in Huyton, owned a Ford van that tripped between Oldham and Manchester. Police even matched his fingerprints to a photo of his hand over a bag of crisps uploaded on the encrypted network.
Detective: “He Thought He Was Untouchable”
“Hitchmough played a leading role in a huge conspiracy to supply dangerous illegal drugs,” said Detective Sergeant Craig Doyle. “He thought using EncroChat, and fake names like BRUTALWHALE, would keep him safe. He was so brazen he shared personal details and photos.
“But that info gave police the evidence to lock him up for a long time. We’re committed to shutting down drug flows into Merseyside and hitting dealers where it hurts — their cash.”
DS Doyle added that the misery caused by drugs devastates communities, but warned, “Crime does not pay. We’ll now go after Hitchmough’s profits with a Proceeds of Crime Act application.”
