Op Venetic: Sefton man jailed for supplying drugs across the north west

A Sefton man who was a major player in supplying drugs across the north west has been jailed for more than 10 years in prison.

Bryan Stephen Heffey, 46, of Woodend Avenue, Maghull was sentenced to 10 years 6 months imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 29 March).

Heffey was due to stand trial on Monday (28 March), however at the last hurdle he changed his plea to guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

He was arrested in September 2020 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. 

The drug dealer used the Encrochat handles ‘Activegamer and ‘Lemonisland’ to supply large quantities of heroin, cocaine and cannabis across the north west.

Detectives discovered evidence of his drug deals on his Encro handles. This included pictures he shared with other handles showing blocks of cocaine and an estimated £16,000 of cash, demonstrating he played a leading role to flood the streets with drugs.

Speaking about the case, Detective Inspector Peter McCullough said: “This latest sentencing has helped disrupt a network of drugs which Heffey supplied across the north west.

“Heffey initially pleaded not guilty to the charges and was due to stand trial on Monday. However as the evidence against him was so strong he changed his plea to guilty at the last minute.

“This latest sentencing joins a long line of other convictions that we have accomplished which highlights our success in arresting and convicting people.

“We will continue to keep this momentum going and pursue offenders who think they can lie undetected by using the dark web, as we are taking action and bringing them to justice. 

“I would urge anyone who has any information about people they suspect are blighting their neighbourhood by supplying or selling drugs to contact us so we can take action.” 

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.