Overview
- James Hitchmough, 35, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis, and to transferring criminal property.
- Court evidence showed messages from spring to early summer 2020 arranging 64.5kg of cocaine, 37.5kg of heroin, 33kg of cannabis and £2.48 million in illicit cash transfers.
- He used the EncroChat aliases 'Brutal Whale' and 'Roll Play' and was arrested at Manchester Airport on 27 October after flying in from Dubai.
- Prosecutors said he ran an established operation across Merseyside, advising on covert vehicle hides and helping build stashes used to move drugs across borders.
- Merseyside Police said they will pursue a Proceeds of Crime Act application to recover his illicit assets.