Martin Murphy, 45, was sentenced to four years and four months in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh after being convicted of drug trafficking linked to a £90,000 cocaine deal. The organised crime gang member was caught after attempting a high-speed escape when police raided the Glasgow Fort shopping centre in April 2020.
Murphy, who was captured by surveillance cameras accepting a package in a supermarket car park, fled the scene in his Range Rover, driving recklessly on the wrong side of the road in an attempt to evade police. As he sped away, Murphy discarded a package believed to contain cocaine during the police chase on the M8 motorway. However, law enforcement officers were able to intercept Murphy and bring him to justice.
In a separate arrest, football scout Jordan McKinlay, who had met Murphy at the car park, was apprehended when his van was searched. McKinlay’s vehicle contained a hidden compartment where £452,000 worth of cocaine was discovered. In November 2022, McKinlay was sentenced to three years and nine months for his role in the drug trafficking operation.
Murphy’s involvement in extensive drug dealings was uncovered following the hacking of the EncroChat platform, a secure messaging service used by criminals. Police discovered dozens of messages on Murphy’s phones that outlined his key role in the transportation, mixing, and distribution of drugs. The investigation revealed a significant network of drug trafficking worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The court heard that between March and October 2021, Murphy used three separate EncroChat handles—Analogpelican, Rocketforce, and Reputableplug—to coordinate his criminal activities with associates. A search of his home in October 2021 led to the seizure of £153,650, 7,680 euros, and a small amount of cocaine. Furthermore, Murphy’s phone contained extensive records of drug debts and payments, including images of large sums of cash and blocks of cocaine.
Judge Lady Hood, who sentenced Murphy, emphasized that his actions warranted a custodial sentence due to the severity of his crimes. She noted that the sentence would serve to deter others from engaging in similar illegal activities.
Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for specialist casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), praised the investigation’s success, highlighting that the prosecution had removed a large quantity of drugs from Scottish streets and disrupted the local drug supply network.
Corrins further added, “Drug trafficking wreaks havoc on communities, and the Crown will continue to work with law enforcement and other agencies to tackle serious organised crime.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Murphy will face a proceeds of crime hearing scheduled for January 2025, aimed at recovering the illicit gains from his criminal activities.
