'Unparalleled victory against kingpin criminals' as law enforcement bust encrypted messaging software

  • Video report by ITV News Correspondent Rachel Younger

Law enforcement groups have made an "unparalleled victory against kingpin criminals" after taking down a military-grade encrypted global communication service.

Since 2016, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has been working with international law enforcement agencies on Operation Venetic - targeting EncroChat, an encrypted system used exclusively by criminal gangs.

Thousands of officers from the NCA, regional crime squads and every police force in the UK were involved in the massive international sting which made 746 arrests, claimed £54 million in criminal cash, 77 firearms and seized over two tonnes of drugs.

Authorities claimed 77 firearms as a result of the operation. Credit: NCA

Working with partners in France and the Netherlands, law enforcement monitored the exchanges of EncroChat users - used by 60,000 people worldwide, including around 10,000 in the UK.

Operation Venetic has led to law enforcement claiming:

  • Over £54 million in criminal cash

  • 77 firearms (including an AK47 assault rifle, sub machine guns, handguns, four grenades and over 1,800 rounds of ammunition)

  • More than two tonnes of Class A and B drugs

  • Over 28 million Etizolam pills (street Valium) from an illicit laboratory

  • 55 high value cars, and 73 luxury watches

The NCA said the bust has also prevented rival gangs carrying out kidnappings and executions on the UK's streets - successfully mitigating over 200 threats to life.

NCA Director of Investigations Nikki Holland said the breakthrough "is like having an inside person in every top organised crime group in the country.

"This is the broadest and deepest ever UK operation into serious organised crime," she added.

Recent messages from some of the UK handsets that use the software include: "This year the police are winning."

Police and NCA officers raid a property in Birmingham as a part of the operation. Credit: NCA

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for serious organised crime, Chief Constable Steve Jupp, described it as "an unparalleled victory against the kingpin criminals". 

"Serious organised crime is complex but working together with our Regional Organised Crimes Units and the National Crime Agency we have achieved an unparalleled victory against the kingpin criminals whose criminal activity and violence intimidates and exploits the most vulnerable.

"By dismantling these groups, we have saved countless lives and protected communities across the UK."

  • Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, Ian Critchley, on the success of the operation:

Home Secretary Priti Patel congratulated the NCA's "relentless targeting" of the criminal gangs.