Romford man jailed after his EncroChat revealed an operation supplying cocaine across North East London.

A man from Romford has been jailed after investigators accessed his EncroChat and discovered an operation that supplied cocaine to areas across North East London. 

Julian Warner, 37 of Carefree Close, was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday, 4 September at Snaresbrook Crown Court for his role in the conspiracy to supply 2.5kgs of cocaine and 2.5kgs of heroin.

He pleaded guilty on the same day to conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (cocaine), conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (heroin), and conspiracy to possess criminal property (money).

Detective Inspector Danny Young, from Op Eternal in Specialist Crime, said: “Warner arranged large-scale drug deals with his ultimate aim being to make as much money as possible, with no thought of the misery and devastation caused in communities by drug supply, and the violence it leads to.

“Op Eternal investigations over the last three years have resulted in the Met identifying and jailing major players in the criminal fraternity, and stemming the flow of drugs and guns onto the streets. The drugs trade relies upon exploitation and violence to operate and we will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved, and put them before the courts.”

Warner was rumbled after European partners accessed an encrypted communications network called EncroChat in the summer of 2020 – passing data to the Met via the National Crime Agency (NCA). In response, officers launched a large-scale investigation to target Encrochat users believed to be operating from the capital – codenamed “Operation Eternal”.

As part of the investigation, Warner was identified as a member of an Organised Crime Network (OCN) linked to the supply of large amounts of Class A drugs throughout North East London and surrounding counties.

Evidence also showed Warner was the sole user of two encrypted EncroChat mobile phones between April and June 2020.

Police raided Warner’s address in Romford in March 2023. Two high value watches were seized, along with a mobile phone which linked to the Encrochat data, with messages that revealed he was working with others to purchase multiple kilos of Class A drugs.

There was also evidence within the EncroChat device that showed that he made a payment of £20,000 for drugs previously supplied. The court heard how he had then directed others to collect and deliver drugs on his behalf.

Warner was arrested on Wednesday, 29 March and the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges relating to the offences.

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