"A senior detective said cracking the covert messaging platform EncroChat was pivotal in securing convictions against members of an organised crime group who planned to smuggle 48m worth of cocaine into Europe. The gang was involved in the plot to smuggle 600kg (94st 6lb) of the Class A drug on a yacht that was being used in a transatlantic sailing race. The ringleaders - Lee McClenaghan and Lea Talbot, both from Essex - admitted their involvement and were imprisoned for 30 and 23 years respectively."
"The Organised Crime Partnership is a unit made up of officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Metropolitan Police. Det Insp Smith, the senior investigating officer in the case, said officers became aware of the group led by McClenaghan, 57, of Stewart Road, Chelmsford, and Talbot, 55, of Godman Road, Chadwell St Mary, in 2019. The pair had recruited experienced sailor Ian Magee, 68, to take part in an annual transatlantic yacht race from the Caribbean island of St Lucia, to Lagos"
Encrypted evidence from EncroChat played a central role in convicting an organised crime group plotting to smuggle 48m worth of cocaine into Europe. The plot involved loading 600kg of Class A drug onto a yacht entered in a transatlantic sailing race from St Lucia to Lagos. Ringleaders Lee McClenaghan and Lea Talbot admitted involvement and received 30- and 23-year prison terms. Ian Magee bought and prepared boats for the scheme, conducted a 2019 dummy run, and received a 20-year sentence after the planned 2020 race was cancelled by Covid-19. The Organised Crime Partnership led the 2019 investigation.
Read at www.bbc.com
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