Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Nick Tyrrell

Mum who ran kids' play centre and restaurant admits EncroChat drugs conspiracy

A Liverpool businesswoman has pleaded guilty to drug offences after being arrested at Manchester Airport.

Faye Dunn was arrested at Manchester Airport earlier this year as part of Operation Venetic, the ongoing police investigation into the Encrochat messaging network. Ms Dunn is the former director of a number of Merseyside businesses including a restaurant and a popular children's play centre.

The ECHO has previously reported how Ms Dunn, a mum-of-two, is well known in the Huyton area but was charged last month with conspiracy to supply cannabis between December 2019 and June 2020 as well as two money laundering charges.

READ MORE: City businesswoman on drug charges after police swoop at airport

Today, the 38-year-old pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge as well as one count of concealing criminal property. Another charge of acquiring criminal property was not proceeded with by prosecutors. In a statement issued after her arrest, Merseyside Police confirmed the charges related to the police investigation into EncroChat phones, Operation Venetic.

That investigation aims to bring dealers who used the heavily encrypted messaging service to justice. Once thought to be impenetrable, the system was hacked in 2020, with many criminals put behind bars since.

A spokesperson said at the time: "A woman from Huyton has been charged with drug offences as part of Operation Venetic. On Monday 13 June officers arrested a woman at Manchester Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs. Faye Dunn, 38 years of Kingsway Parade, Kingsway has been charged with conspiracy to supply a Class B drug and money laundering on Tuesday 14 June."

Dunn, of Walpole Avenue, Whiston, will be sentenced in September.

READ NEXT:

Family sobs in court as Ava White's murderer locked up for life

Ava White's mum explains touching story behind photo of daughter on hoodie

Ava White's mum's powerful message to other parents after killer's sentencing

Updates as Ava White murderer sentenced for killing schoolgirl

'Unique' Ava White 'touched every heart' in Liverpool

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.