A Knowsley man, Joseph Toole, 55, of Aysgarth Avenue, West Derby, alongside Lawrence Hill, 52, of Longmeadow Road, Knowsley Village, have been sentenced to a combined total of 29 years for their roles in the supply of large quantities of Class A and B drugs.
Both men pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to conspiring to supply Class A drugs—cocaine and heroin—and Class B drugs—cannabis. Their arrests were part of Merseyside Police’s involvement in Operation Venetic, an international investigation targeting criminals using the encrypted Encrochat mobile service to evade detection.
Toole, who operated under the Encrochat handle ‘SUMMERHILL-NEW’ between December 2019 and July 2020, was linked to the supply of 374 kilograms of Class A drugs, including 249 kg of cocaine and 125 kg of heroin, as well as 441 kg of cannabis. He was arrested at his home in March 2025 and sentenced to 16 years.
Lawrence Hill, known as ‘FROSTY-HAND’ on Encrochat, worked under Toole’s instruction delivering drugs. He conspired to supply 373 kilograms of Class A drugs, comprising 262 kg of cocaine and 111 kg of heroin. Hill was arrested on the same day as Toole and received a 13-year sentence.
Detective Sergeant Craig Doyle commented, “Our work under Operation Venetic continues relentlessly to detect and arrest those involved in the sale and distribution of Class A and B drugs. We remain committed to protecting vulnerable people in our communities and encourage the public to report any information that could assist our investigations.”
