A boxing trainer who famously appeared in a viral video with football pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment for his leading role in a massive class A drug operation.
The Downfall of 'LuckyPanda'
Michael McNally, 42, was identified as a significant drug supplier after international law enforcement agencies cracked the encrypted EncroChat network in 2020. The system, popular among organised crime groups, yielded millions of messages that were passed to UK police forces.
McNally operated under the alias 'LuckyPanda' on the platform, where he coordinated the supply of substantial quantities of illegal substances. His identity was confirmed when he inadvertently shared photographs of a car crash outside his home, with police vehicles visible in the images.
Officers attended his address in May, where they discovered a semi-automatic pistol with ammunition and £23,000 in cash. The evidence gathered through the encrypted messages and subsequent raid left little room for defence.
From Boxing Ring to Courtroom
McNally's connection to the sporting world brought unexpected attention to the case. In 2021, he appeared in a widely-viewed episode of The Overlap, where he trained Gary Neville at Rotunda ABC in Liverpool while Jamie Carragher watched and laughed along.
The segment was part of Carragher's tour of his Merseyside hometown for the popular football show, which has since accumulated 3.2 million views online. McNally also previously trained former world champion Tony Bellew during his amateur career.
Despite his legitimate connections to the boxing community, McNally was simultaneously running a sophisticated drug operation. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges at Liverpool Crown Court, including:
- Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs
- Conspiracy to transfer criminal property
- Possession of a prohibited firearm
Justice Served
The sentencing on November 7 marked the conclusion of a thorough investigation by the National Crime Agency. McNally received his 17-year sentence for involvement in supplying 200kg of cocaine and 50kg of heroin, with the total haul valued at approximately £18.5 million.
Jon Hughes of the National Crime Agency stated: 'This operation has successfully taken a drug supplier out of the community, a dangerous weapon off the streets and cash out of the hands of criminals.'
The case highlights the ongoing success of law enforcement in targeting organised crime through technological means, particularly following the EncroChat breach that has led to numerous convictions across the country.
