A feared gangland boss who armed UK crime gangs with deadly military-Gradegrade weapons has been locked up for Moremore than 26 years. Philip Waugh, 40, aka “Aceprospect,” was sentenced after a National Crime Agency probe uncovered his sinister secret weapons list on the encrypted chat platform EncroChat.
Waugh supplied automatic and semi-automatic firearms across the UK. He also plotted with a gang enforcer to blind a victim with acid. The bombshell discovery in 2020 sparked a massive crackdown under Operation Venetic, the NCA’s fight against EncroChat-fuelled crime.
From EncroChat to Extradition: The Capture of Aceprospect
Operating from abroad, Waugh offered a terrifying arsenal, including two AK47s, a Skorpion and an Uzi machine gun, pistols, and hundreds of rounds of ammo. The NCA worked round the clock to unmask and Chasechase him down.
Last September, Waugh was arrested at his Plushplush villa in Benahavis, Malaga, after leaving Thailand. Coordinated efforts between the NCA and Spanish police led to his extradition to the UK.
At england/england/liverpool/”>liverpool/”>Liverpool Crown Court in April, Waugh admitted multiple firearms offences and conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm. Thanks to his guilty pleas, he received a one-third sentence reduction and was handed 26 years and 8 months behind bars.
Deadly Deals and a Vicious Acid Attack Plot
Waugh smuggled weapons into the UK, where his right-hand man Robert Brazendale, 38, distributed them to organised crime groups. Brazendale was jailed in 2022 for over 11 years for his role in gun-running alongside Waugh, serving additional sentences for new firearms offences.
Waugh also conspired with gangland enforcer Jonathan Gordon, known on EncroChat as “Valuedbridge,” to blind a man with acid. In chilling messages, Waugh urged Gordon to “double the dose” and “cook” the victim’s face, aiming for permanent damage.
The attack was foiled when police intervened and stopped Gordon before he could strike. Brazendale also admitted involvement in the acid attack conspiracy.
Weapons Seized and Justice Served
The NCA and its policing partners confiscated numerous illegal firearms, including AK47s, Uzis, Skorpion machine guns, and pistols, along with hundreds of rounds of ammo.
Ben Rutter, NCA Senior Investigator, said:
“Waugh’s sentencing is a massive win after five years of tireless work by NCA officers. He was motivated only by money, supplying weapons to criminals hell-bent on horrific crimes with zero regard for public safety.”
“We acted fast once we uncovered his gun list and will keep working with partners at home and abroad to stop organised crime groups trafficking firearms.”
