Adam Lonergan, also known as ‘Sickmallet’, from Rydal Avenue, Prescot, has been sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court. He was found guilty of conspiring to supply cocaine, heroin, and cannabis across Merseyside.
Lonergan’s criminal activities were uncovered after police successfully cracked the encrypted EncroChat network, which was widely used by serious gangs to coordinate illegal operations. The 33-year-old was arrested on March 16, during which officers recovered a significant amount of cash from his home.
He is one of seven men from Merseyside who have been sentenced so far as part of a large-scale operation involving European law enforcement agencies, the National Crime Agency, and multiple UK police forces.
EncroChat was a secret messaging service with approximately 60,000 users worldwide, including 10,000 in the UK. The platform was used to facilitate the running of drugs, weapons, and money laundering networks.
Detective Inspector Chris Lowe commented, “Today’s sentencing shows how seriously we take organised criminals who flood Merseyside with deadly drugs. Lonergan made a fortune from pushing class A and B substances, but now he’ll have time to think about the damage he caused.” He added, “Lonergan thought his encrypted phone would keep him hidden. He was wrong — and he won’t be the last.”
Operation Venetic, the UK-wide crackdown on organised crime linked to EncroChat, has resulted in 102 arrests in the Merseyside area. Of those arrested, 71 have been charged with serious drug or firearms offences. Further prosecutions are ongoing as police continue their efforts to dismantle organised crime networks.
The police have urged the community to assist in stamping out drug dealing. If anyone spots suspicious drug activity, they are encouraged not to remain silent. Contact Merseyside Police via Twitter at @MerPolCC, call 101, or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In cases of immediate danger or crime in progress, always call 999.
Thanks to this significant operation, Merseyside’s streets are safer today, but the fight against organised crime continues.
Originally published by UKNIP.
