Four men jailed for using frozen fish to import drugs
A Metropolitan Police and National Crime Agency investigation led to the conviction and sentencing of four men for using encrypted EncroChat messages to plan large-scale drug imports and distribution. The group plotted to hide roughly 600kg of cocaine, worth about £20 million, inside frozen fish shipments to a legitimate fish business at Billingsgate Market, and separately discussed importing industrial quantities of ketamine. Police uncovered the messages in 2020, arrested suspects in 2023, and used surveillance and mobile phone evidence to secure convictions and prison terms ranging from 13 to 22 years, with a co-defendant previously sentenced to 16 years.
Four men sentenced after plot to hide 600kg cocaine in fish
Context
Police found encrypted messages in 2020 showing plans to hide drugs in frozen fish. They arrested suspects in 2023 and took the case to court. Convictions may lead to more cross-border investigations and scrutiny of encrypted platforms.
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