Drug dealer jailed for 13 years for Class A drug supply

A man arrested stepping off a flight from Dubai has been jailed for 13 years after he was identified from messages he sent on an encrypted device.

The investigation into James Hitchmough, 35 years, of Kingsway, Roby was part of Operation Aquarium, 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.

He was found to have used Encrochat between March-June 2020 to conspire to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

Going by the handles BRUTALHWALE and ROLL-PLAY, Hitchmough communicated with more than 50 other users of the Encrochat service, and the messages downloaded by law enforcement showed he had brokered the sale and supply of 64.5kg of cocaine, 37.5kg of heroin and 33kg of cannabis.

He was also involved in illegal money transfers totalling £2.4m in cash.

Investigators who studied the data downloaded from Encrochat found references to him living in the Huyton area, and to him owning a Ford van that had made journeys to Oldham and Manchester. Hitchmough’s previous conviction was also discussed, and other users referred to him as ‘Jim’ and ‘Jimmy’. A fishing trip paid for by Hitchmough was also described and a photo sent of his lakeside pitch.

Detectives even matched the fingerprints on file for Hitchmough to those shown in an image of his hand over a bag of crisps. 

On 27 October, officers received information Hitchmough had boarded a plan rom Dubai to Manchester and were waiting at the airport where they detained him.

Detective Sergeant Craig Doyle said: “Hitchmough played a leading role in a huge conspiracy to supply significant quantities of dangerous illegal drugs.

“He thought that by using the encrypted Encrochat service and hiding behind names like BRUTALWHALE that he would avoid detection. He even felt bold enough to discuss personal details on the service and send images of his activities.

“But the information and images he shared provided police with a weight of evidence that has helped put him behind bars for a long time.”

Det Sgt Doyle added: “We know the misery caused by the sale and distribution of drugs, with vulnerable drug users and wider communities paying a heavy cost.

“We are committed to protecting the public by stopping the flow of drugs into Merseyside’s criminal markets.

“Drugs dealers do not care about the harm and devastation they cause – they care only about lining their pockets.

“But crime does not pay - it lands you in jail and we will now progress a Proceeds of Crime Act application against Hitchmough to take his ill-gotten gains from him.”

Anyone with information on drug supply should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101 quoting incident reference.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously