Two major drug dealers, Remez Caffrey and John Chean, have been locked up following a massive police crackdown linked to the encrypted messaging service EncroChat. The pair were caught red-handed importing and supplying huge amounts of class A and B drugs across the UK.
The investigation began after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) uncovered the user handle ‘Frostjacket’ on EncroChat, which both men used to coordinate their criminal empire. Between April and June 2020, messages revealed the duo sourcing and buying around 2.5kg of cocaine worth £100,000, 61kg of amphetamine worth £61,000, and 44kg of cannabis worth £264,000.
They often swapped drugs for cash or vehicles. On one occasion, they planned to trade a 20-plate Mercedes for 18kg of amphetamine in Moston.
Caffrey and Chean also hatched plans to launder proceeds through family members. The ‘Frostjacket’ account instructed associates on how to move vast sums of cash to clean it. Further investigation linked them to stealing cannabis from a rival gang’s farm in Oldham. The pair even discussed smuggling drugs from overseas, using routes through Denmark and Belgium, offering to fill £100,000 worth of space on shipments.
Following raids in March 2021, the pair were arrested at homes in Manchester and Liverpool. Police seized nearly £3,000 in cash during the swoops.
At Manchester Crown Court, Caffrey of New Moston was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, importing cannabis, and money laundering. Chean of Liverpool received a 6-year sentence for conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine.
Detective Constable Darren Wayman said: “These two were high-ranking members of a dangerous organised crime group dealing tonnes of drugs across Greater Manchester. Drugs ruin lives and communities, and today’s jail sentences show we are committed to shutting down this poison. We urge the public to come forward with information so we can keep fighting this war on crime.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
