A Wirral man has been sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison as part of the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic.
Operation Venetic is an international operation targeting criminals who used a mobile encryption service, commonly referred to as Encrochat, in an attempt to evade detection.
Ryan Pugh, 34, of Bromborough pleaded guilty and was sentenced for conspiracy to supply multi-kilo quantities of cocaine and cannabis at Liverpool Crown Court last Thursday, 20 October.
Pugh used the Encrochat handle ‘boredgiraffe’ to supply the drugs.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Peter McCullough said, “Pugh joins the queue of criminals who have been put behind bars as part of this huge international operation, and there will be a lot more to come.
“Pugh was generating vast profits, with no regard to the serious harm such activities cause in our communities.
“Hopefully he will now take time to reflect on the risks he took and the harm he caused. Our work to track these criminals down and bring down serious and organised criminal groups remains ongoing. To those who we haven’t got to yet, our message is clear … expect the knock at the door.
“We will continue to target anyone involved in serious organised crime to keep this positive momentum going.”
Anyone with information on drug supply is asked to contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Image: Ryan Pugh/Merseyside Police
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