Michael Riccio, a 38-year-old drug and firearms trafficker, has been ordered to pay nearly £4 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act after a selfie he took following a tooth loss led to his identification on the encrypted platform EncroChat. Riccio was previously sentenced to 35 years in prison for plotting to acquire a shotgun to 'give someone a leggy' and amassing £2.5 million in old £20 notes.
Court Proceedings and Confiscation Order
At Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, Judge Gary Woodhall determined that Riccio benefited from his criminality to the tune of at least £3,956,534.55. Riccio, formerly of Ambleside Road in Allerton, must pay this amount within three months or face an additional 14 years in prison. Even if he serves the extra time, he will still be required to repay the full sum. Appearing via video link from HMP Frankland, Riccio responded 'mad that' at the conclusion of the hearing.
Judge's Remarks on Criminal Enterprise
Judge Woodhall stated: 'The defendant's criminality was international, far reaching and no doubt lucrative. This was a large scale criminal enterprise, generating very large sums of money and assets for the defendant. I am satisfied that the criminal enterprise subject to the proceedings was such as to generate considerable wealth for the defendant.'
Identification via Selfie
A trial in 2024 heard that Riccio was identified as the user of the EncroChat handle 'Lead Fern' after sending a selfie when he lost a tooth. He admitted trading at least 30kg of cocaine and 20kg of heroin using the account. However, he denied responsibility for conversations about firearms, claiming other criminals accessed the phone, but refused to name them, stating 'I'm no grass.'
International Criminal Network
Riccio's network extended to Dubai, Australia, and Europe, with contacts in Liverpool's docks and Belgian companies aiding his trafficking. He previously served four months in a Dutch prison for possession of a Glock handgun.
Riccio's Testimony and Rejection
During POCA proceedings, Riccio ranted that the process was 'ridiculous' and claimed he was locked up 'for stuff I never done.' He alleged he never controlled the £2.5 million cash and acted as a broker for a 'friend of a friend.' Under questioning, he said: 'This is ridiculous. I have a 35-year sentence for stuff I never done. I'm in a cat A prison, where people are getting stabbed and killed every day. I'm sorry for being upset. They are not my contacts. I haven't seen my kids in 18 months. I have no money.'
Judge Woodhall rejected Riccio's evidence, noting the 'absence of any credible evidence from the defendant about what happened to' his proceeds. He added: 'A significant proportion of the defendant's evidence related to seeking to challenge and undermine the verdicts reached by the jury... I did not find the defendant's assertions before me regarding his innocence or evidence distancing himself from incriminating evidence to be credible. I reject the defendant's evidence seeking to suggest that others were responsible for the EncroChat messages. I am satisfied that this EncroChat phone was the defendant's, and, when others had reason to use it, messages made that switch clear.'
