The identities of Anthony Dean and William Swann were uncovered after they complained about their hairstyles
Two EncroChat drug traffickers were identified after exchanging selfies as they complained about their lockdown hairstyles. Anthony Dean and William Swann utilised the encrypted communications platform to trade wholesale quantities of heroin, cocaine and cannabis.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Friday, that the former operated under the handle “OctoJam”, with the latter going by the username “OctoRain”. Conversations and notes found on their accounts, which were discovered as part of Operation Venetic as the network was infiltrated by French police in 2020, revealed the “sheer quantities and prices these defendants were dealing in”.
Matthew Conway, prosecuting, described how the two men also had the “ability to source and supply amounts from imported consignments”. Merseyside Police state that messages demonstrated their involvement in discussions concerning deals for 13.5kg of heroin, 13kg of cocaine and 62kg of cannabis.
But their identities were ultimately revealed after they shared pictures showing their unkempt hair amid the covid pandemic and enforced closure of salons and barber shops. Dean’s selfie showed him posing topless in a mirror in his bathroom, with Swann then replying with a picture showing his own hair.
Following their arrests in January this year, detectives discovered further evidence that indicated Dean had continued his involvement in the supply of class A drugs. This was said to have seen at least a further 100kg supplied in what was potentially a multi-million pound operation.
Dean, of Villiers Terrace in St Helens, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to import a class B drug and money laundering. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a white t-shirt, the 42-year-old was jailed for 16 years.
Swann, of Harrier Close in Maghull, also pleaded guilty to encouraging the commission of an offence. Wearing a black Asics t-shirt, the 39-year-old was imprisoned for a total of 14 years by Judge Simon Medland KC.
Detective Constable Kevin Mitchell said following the hearing: “This was a sophisticated operation where the drugs they were peddling had a million pound wholesale value. The 100 kilos of Class A drug which Dean was involved with certainly ran into millions.
“It was very clear from the messages exchanged that they managed the lucrative drugs operation. This illustrated the strength of evidence put forward to convict them, and they both pleaded guilty.
“In one message, Dean bragged that he only wanted to maintain his £6,250 a week personal wage and would reinvest any profits coming in over and above that figure. In a discussion about working too hard on a front business he had set up to clean the illicit money, Dean stated that he had to remember that it was a washing machine, not a business.
“Operation Venetic is continuing to expose criminals who thought they could evade detection by using the encrypted devices. Bringing Dean and Swann to justice has disrupted not only the serious organised crime they were involved in but street level drug deals and county lines operations involving vulnerable young people.”