Three men involved in a global drug conspiracy were jailed after being caught using the encrypted service EncroChat. Simon Renoldi, Matthew Hutchinson, and Iain Green were linked to the distribution of large quantities of Class A drugs worldwide, with over £1 million in cash seized from various properties.
The investigation, supported by law enforcement agencies in England, France, and the Netherlands, led to their convictions in November. Renoldi, 53, from Fobbing, was sentenced to 21 years after being found guilty of multiple drug supply offenses. Green, 54, from Westcliff-on-Sea, received 17 years for supplying cocaine, ecstasy, and cannabis, while Hutchinson, 55, from Brentwood, was sentenced to 13 years for supplying cocaine and ketamine.
The trio’s activities were traced through EncroChat messages under pseudonyms “Typicalknee”, “Harshwater”, and “Pineappletequila.” These messages revealed Hutchinson’s involvement in drug shipments to New Zealand and Australia, while Renoldi and Green exchanged £140,000 in cash. Police raids uncovered £805,000 in cash and significant quantities of cocaine, securing the convictions and bringing the large-scale drug operation to an end.
Det Insp Yoni Adler of Essex Police praised the thorough investigation, which led to significant prison sentences for the criminals involved in this high-level drug trade.