Man jailed for selling and supplying kilos of Class A drugs internationally

A man who was storing and selling kilos of Class A drugs internationally from his own home has been jailed.

Michael Doyle aged 44, from Kirkby, was jailed for 12 years at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday Monday 13 June 2022.

He is the latest offender to be jailed as part of Merseyside Police’s response to Operation Venetic: an international operation targeting criminals who used a mobile encryption service, commonly referred to as Encrochat, in an attempt to evade detection when dealing drugs.

An extensive investigation found that Doyle had 55 different Encrochat handle names stored in his contacts list. 

From the examination of the Encrochat data, Doyle was identified by officers as the user of EncroChat handle “battle-hawk,” 

During 2020 messages showed he had conspired to supply significant quantities of class A and B drugs to his many contacts and even attempted to move three million Euros from the Netherlands to Ecuador. In his messages, Doyle talked about “plane jobs” and “fish jobs” in what officers said was reference to the movement of drugs by air and sea.

Doyle was arrested on Wednesday 6 April 2022 at his home in Bickerstaffe on suspicion of several drug offences and transferring criminal property after officers searched his house and found a block of cocaine of 74% purity weighing 200 grams.

Examples of images sent by Doyle on his encrypted phone.

He pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply Class A, cocaine and heroin, conspiracy to supply Class B amphetamine and possession with intent to supply Class A cocaine following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Jay Boardman said: “Doyle’s attempts to store and supply huge amounts of Class A drugs revealed his clear intention to sell drugs on a wide commercial scale that could have brought suffering to families and residents in our communities.

"We know the devastation that drugs cause and Merseyside Police remains relentless in our pursuit of these criminals and ending their drugs trade

“I hope this result shows that our officers will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of these people who think they are above the law, and believe they can evade justice.

“We will continue to target criminals like Doyle by thoroughly examining any evidence and carrying out any necessary warrants across Merseyside.”

Anyone with information on drug dealing is asked to contact @MerPolCC, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.