A drugs gang exploiting the COVID-19 lockdown to distribute cocaine and heroin across Northwest England has been sentenced to prison. The gang was uncovered through the Encrochat hack.

The operation was led by Ricci Ferrari, who initially ran the network, brokering deals with importers and customers in the UK, with assistance from Anthony Davies and Stuart Shears. Together, they distributed over 19 kilos of class A drugs.

Following the Encrochat collapse in 2020, Ferrari stepped back, allowing Shears and Davies to continue the operations using other individuals. They were jailed at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy and money laundering.

Encrochat, an encrypted messaging service, was used by the gang to coordinate their activities until it was dismantled by authorities, exposing their dealings.

Shears and Davies exploited vulnerable addicts, using their homes in Moston and Harpurhey to store and distribute drugs. Police raids uncovered significant quantities of cocaine and heroin, resulting in convictions for several individuals involved.

The gang also discussed plans to change networks once they discovered France’s potential interception of the system, indicating their awareness and adaptability within their illegal operations.

The sophisticated setup aimed to profit immensely during the lockdown. Police confiscated large amounts of cash and luxury items during raids, highlighting the financial scale of the operation.

All gang members, except Ferrari, had previous convictions and have been sentenced to varying prison terms. The operation has effectively removed a significant distribution network from the streets.