Man from Anfield jailed for conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after a number of messages and images from inside his home revealed a conspiracy to supply large amounts of cocaine and cannabis using the mobile encryption service – Encrochat. 

Francis Lowe aged 27, of Breckside Park, Anfield was today (Friday 17 April) sentenced to nine years for conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug – cocaine (6kg), conspiracy to supply a Class B drug – cannabis (22.605kg)  conspiracy to receive stolen goods and possession of counterfeit currency at Liverpool Crown Court.

On Wednesday 4 March officers from  Operation Venetic: an international operation targeting criminals who used a mobile encryption service, commonly referred to as Encrochat, in an attempt to evade detection arrested Lowe after an investigation revealed he was using the Encrochat handle ‘Tiredswarmer’ to supply kilo quantities of Class A drug cocaine and Class B drug cannabis.

Officers uncovered a number of clues that linked to the Encrochat handle ‘Tiredswarmer’ including giving his name as Fran, providing his address postcode and sending images from inside his home. Lowe also messaged about his grandfather passing away and a police incident he was involved in.

Lowe even sent an image of a stolen black Mercedes AMG C63 for sale outside an address.

During the search of Lowe’s home officers found a large amount of fake bank of England notes and also arrested him on suspicion of  possession of counterfeit currency. Lowe was charged and pleaded guilty to all of the offences.

Speaking after the sentencing Detective Inspector Jay Boardman said: “Having access to Lowe’s messages via his Encrochat handle gave us undeniable evidence that he was playing a pivotal role in supplying kilo quantities of cocaine and cannabis.

“The large amount counterfeit notes that were also seized led to further offences that Lowe was involved in and prosecuted.

“His arrest was part of a large-scale policing operation in Anfield, codenamed Operation Vanguard where around 300 police officers flooded the area conducting warrants, roadside checks and land searches.

“Criminals like Lowe were targeted and condemned to a significant time in prison. Other Encrochat users can expect similar sentencings.”

Anyone with information on drug supply is asked to contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.