A 'reliable foot soldier' was caught hauling more than 155 kilos of cocaine - working under the Encrochat handle 'GingerSpeaker'. Courier Matthew Clarke, 43, is the latest criminal to be hauled before Manchester’s courts following the law enforcement hack of the encrypted communications network.
He was ordered to pick up large amounts of the class A drug on behalf of an organised crime group based in Ashton-under-Lyne. Over a three month period, Clarke supplied 155 kilos of cocaine and transferred £100,000 of criminal cash.
Messages to people higher up the chain were discovered when European law enforcement officials cracked the Encrochat network and handed the data to UK cops.
Cops said the amount of drugs police uncovered during the investigation into Clarke had an estimated street value of over £14m.
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Manchester Crown Court heard Clarke was linked to at least 10 different drugs pick-ups and drop-offs between March and June 2020 across the north.
Acting under instruction from mystery dealer 'MagicCheetah', on March 26, he was told to collect 30 kilos of cocaine. The message read: "Grab 30 of em and pass my mate 12 around the corner u bring back 18 OK."
Arrangements were made for Clarke to collect the drugs using a white Peugeot van registered to his wife, prosecutor Ashleigh Metcalfe said. He also used a black Audi A3.
During another collection, he agreed to collect blocks of cocaine, which were stamped with the logos of Ferrari and Mercedes, from behind a Shell garage in Ashton, to pass to another drug dealer on a bicycle.
Days later another delivery was organised, with Clarke due to meet 'SpicySalad' to pick up eight kilos of the drug on the Warrington side of the M6 motorway. He messaged another handle, 'Mr Inappropriate', with a cover story, making a trade appear to be for tools. After the drop, he messaged again saying: "Done mate."
"On March 31, the two EncroChat handles ‘GingerSpeaker’ and ‘MagicCheetah’ are once again in conversation with one another about the collection of 38 kilograms of cocaine and onward supply of 18 kilograms of that initial collection," Ms Metcalfe added.
"The messages demonstrate that ‘GingerSpeaker’ was due to collect the 38 kilograms of cocaine from ‘WateryAxe’ with 18 kilograms then to be supplied to ‘CalmTea’. The remainder of the collection (20 kilograms) are to be taken to the ‘SAFE GAFF’ with five kilograms later being passed to an unknown handle."
The messages showed Clarke was not happy to drive Birmingham as people were: 'fetting pulled like f*** now and fined'. He added: "I think it’s a death wish for me, I’m not up for it, u got anyone else on the ANPR."
This was during the first week of the national lockdown, the court heard.
Clarke was also instructed to buy two further ‘encrophones’, at £2,800 apiece. In April he was asked by ‘Mr Inappropriate’ to get £100,000 and put £45,000 aside for a watch.
The next day he was sent a picture of Johnny Watches. He was paid £300 for sorting the money transfer out.
In October 2020, police went to his house in Ashton. They were met by his wife, who let them inside. The house was searched, with officers finding drug packaging hidden in a wardrobe, as well as a drugs tick list hidden in a drawer. He later turned himself in.
Clarke’s barrister, David Bentley, said his client had a 22-year long career as an engineer for a petrochemical company, but after they went into administration he was made redundant which had a ‘significant impact on his mental health’.
“He turned to drugs and alcohol as a crutch, he started gambling which quickly spiralled out of control and he found himself in financial difficulties because of COVID,” Mr Bentley said.
“He initially believed it was lawful, but very quickly knew he was involved in controlled drugs.
“He should have dislocated himself and he didn’t, and he deeply regrets that.”
The judge, Recorder Andrew Long, told him: “You went into this enterprise with your eyes open, knowing you were helping to distribute huge quantities of cocaine, knowing if caught, you would face a huge penalty.
“You were a useful and reliable foot soldier.”
Clarke, of Mansfield Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine; and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
'This level of supply is rarely encountered'
Following the hearing, Detective Inspector Paul Crompton, of GMP Serious Organised Crime Group, said: "This level of supply is rarely encountered in these types of investigations.
"It goes to show the level Clarke was operating at, he was organised, with a lot of experience which could only be developed over a considerable amount of time.
"I hope today's sentencing goes to show no matter how organised or sophisticated you may think you are; our detectives will proactively pursue all available lines of enquiry and take robust action against you.
"Though some work into drug investigations can't always be seen - there is a lot going on behind the scenes. We will always listen to our communities' concerns and any information or issues that are fed to us can sometimes hugely assist our on-going investigations."
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