Displaying items by tag: EncroChat

A top-secret communications system used by criminals to trade drugs and guns has been ‘successfully penetrated’, says the National Crime Agency, which worked with forces across Europe on the UK's ‘biggest and most significant’ law-enforcement operation. Major crime figures were among over 800 Europe-wide arrests after messages on EncroChat were intercepted and decoded. Over two tonnes of drugs, several dozen guns, and £54m in suspect cash was seized after an investigation initiated and led by French and Dutch police which also involved Europol - the EU agency for law enforcement cooperation. Wil van Gemert, of Europol, told a press conference that the hacking of the network had allowed the ‘disruption of criminal activities including violent attacks, corruption, attempted murders and large-scale drug transports’. The operation lasted three months: 171 were arrested in the UK, including two law enforcement officers. See also the Europe article on the Netherlands.

Six men were arrested in the Netherlands following the discovery of seven shipping containers converted into cells and torture chambers after French police cracked encrypted phones used by criminals. Dutch police said the containers were found before they were used, and potential victims were now in hiding. Officers found handcuffs attached to the floors and ceilings of the structures, which had also been soundproofed. They also discovered police clothing and bulletproof vests, pruning shears, scalpels, and balaclavas. Police also found another criminal base in Rotterdam. Two of the suspects were also detained for possession of weapons. The arrests are among 800 made across Europe related to gang warfare in drugs and money- laundering activities after EncroChat messages were intercepted and decoded. EncroChat, based in France, had an estimated 60,000 subscribers. See also UK article ‘Criminal chat network cracked’.