A Finchampstead man has been sentenced to 18 years and six months in prison for his role in the supply of class A, B and C drugs.
Following an investigation by officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU), three men were sentenced for drug offences.
At Reading Crown Court today (April 8) Joe McNally, aged 33, of Park Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham, was sentenced to 18 years and six months’ imprisonment.
Robert Brewster, aged 55, of High Road, Brent, London was sentenced to six years and two months’ imprisonment.
Benjamin Martin-Bynoe, aged 35, of Castlehaven Road, Camden was sentenced to five years six months’ imprisonment.
All three men pleaded guilty to the following offences at previous hearings:
-
Being concerned in the supply of class A – Cocaine.
-
Being concerned in the supply of class B – Ketamine.
-
Being concerned in the supply of class B – Cannabis.
-
Being concerned in the supply of class C – Zopiclone.
-
Being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of prohibition on importation of class A – Cocaine.
-
Being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of prohibition on importation of class B – Ketamine.
-
Being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of prohibition on importation of class B – Cannabis.
-
Being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class C drug – Zopiclone.
Following the takedown of Enchrochat, an encrypted system, by international law enforcement as a result of Operation Venetic, messages came to light between devices that related to the large scale supply of drugs on the dark web.
An investigation by officers from the dedicated Dark Web team found that these devices could be linked to McNally, Brewster and Martin-Bynoe.
They discovered that McNally, the leader of the group, was running dark web accounts to sell large quantities of drugs.
The drugs would be purchased using cryptocurrency and, following which, Brewster and Martin-Bynoe would organise packaging the orders and then sending them via Royal Mail in disguised packaging.
When McNally was arrested, it was discovered that he was using a laptop with a USB that held software to prevent it from storing data. On examination of the device, it was found that it contained information of customers that the drugs were being supplied to.
Detective inspector Rob Bryant, of SEROCU, said: “McNally, Brewster and Martin-Bynoe have all admitted their involvement in this sophisticated supply of drugs.
“By using Enchrochat devices they attempted to evade law enforcement and hide their activity.
“However, due to the hard work of SEROCU, especially Detective Constables’ Tracy Jones and Jo Waites, we were able to prove that these three men were linked to those devices, and they will now spend time in prison.
“The sentences handed down today would not have been possible without the drive and determination shown by our colleagues in the Crown Prosecution Service.
“The supply of drugs can cause untold damage to those in our communities and we will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.
“Dedicated officers working in Regional Cybercrime and Dark Web teams will robustly seek to identify and prosecute those using the dark web to commit crime whilst also working collaboratively at national, regional and force level with the support from the CPS.
“Criminals should not believe that using the dark web will protect them from being identified.”
If you believe you have any information about drug related activity in your area, report it to your local force via the non-emergency number 101.
You can also report anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
Rebecca Sharp, specialist prosecutor for the CPS, said: “The defendants in this case were involved in a sophisticated criminal operation, which saw a large-scale supply of illegal drugs, sold online and sent worldwide.
“Despite their considerable efforts to evade detection – using the dark web, cryptocurrency and encryption software to disguise their criminal business – the overwhelming amount of evidence against each defendant meant that they had little choice but to admit their involvement.
“The CPS worked closely and effectively with the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit to prosecute this organised crime group, building a strong case and bringing them to justice.
“We will be pursuing confiscation proceedings against Joe McNally and Benjamin Martin-Bynoe to recover the proceeds of their criminal conduct.”
