Met Police used EncroChat data in organised crime crackdown

The Met Police's largest-ever operation targeting members of organised crime groups has resulted in more than 420 custodial sentences and the seizure of three tonnes of drugs, the force said.

Operation Eternal investigates criminals' use of encrypted devices to organise drug deals and launder money.

EncroChat data was accessed by French investigators and the information was passed to the Met in 2020.

Cash, drugs and weapons have been seized as part of the operation.

EncroChat is a mobile phone company that purports to provide modified mobile handsets that have had their microphones, cameras and GPS systems removed.

The devices then have a special operating system and messaging software installed on them, which sends and receives encrypted messages.

Some are only able to communicate with other phones on the network and have the provision for a code to be entered which deletes the encrypted chats.

Cdr Paul Brogden, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "The suspects in these investigations are dangerous criminals, many of whom play a key role in supplying kilos of drugs to street gangs whose activities blight and cause misery in communities across London."

The operation is ongoing and "many more cases" are progressing behind the scenes, Cdr Brogden added.

"We still have specialist teams working to attribute EncroChat handles to people; we are still making arrests regularly; and we still have more to do," he said.

"Our message to criminals who operated on EncroChat and haven't yet been visited by police is clear: we won't stop until we have investigated all EncroChat handles, and it is only a matter of time before we knock on your door and arrest you."

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