Salford EncroChat drug supplier jailed for 12 years

A Salford drug dealer who conspired to buy and supply class A and B drugs on the encrypted communications platform EncroChat has been jailed.

Christopher Davies (17/05/1994) was sentenced on Thursday 27 July 2023 to 12 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, two counts – one for heroin and one for cocaine and conspiracy to supply class B drugs, namely amphetamine.

GMP launched an investigation into organised crime and the use of encrypted mobile phone software in the commission of offences. 

Encrypted mobile phones, called EncroChat, have been utilised by those involved in serious crime for several years as a way of evading law enforcement and the tactics used to access electronic devices.

Davies, under the username of Wavyfire, had used the encrypted device in his involvement in a conspiracy to supply drugs with a street value of £13.2 million.  

The messages from the device show that between 28 March 2020 and 29 May 2020, Wavyfire was involved in the bulk supply of class A drugs, class B drugs and managing the money obtained though the large-scale supply of illicit drugs. 

Detective Constable Dave Prowse, of GMP’s Organised Crime Unit, said: “The people responsible for the lists detailed within EncroChat and the drugs supplied were operating on an industrial scale.

“The amount of cocaine alone was more than 20 times the amount sentencing guidelines provides as an indicative quantity for a category 1 offence. The money moved between them and their customers and suppliers topped £1 million.

“Davies presumed his communications were safe by using an encrypted device, but thanks to our officers we were able to use his words against him.”

Intelligence from members of the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations. If you have any concerns about suspicious activity in your community, please report it. This helps us successfully shatter established criminal networks and deprive them of their assets.

Anyone with information or concerns should report to police online, if able, at www.gmp.police.uk or via 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.