Bradley Thompson, a 40-year-old garage proprietor from Aintree, was sentenced to 14 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after police unmasked his EncroChat alias "Mind Waiter" following a trail of clues that included a mention of a barbecue.
How police identified him
Thompson used the encrypted messaging service EncroChat under the alias "Mind Waiter" before the system was breached by French authorities in 2020. His communications contained several identifying details: his son's name as the lock screen password of his handset, which also "predominantly locate" near his home, and references to "R Helen" and her date of birth, who was his aunt.
Henry Riding, prosecuting, said Thompson also mentioned attending a barbecue at the house of the boyfriend of a relative of his partner, who was later found guilty of charges relating to EncroChat use. He was further implicated by references to his own birthday, his garage business, his partner's name, and his mother's location.
Drug quantities and methods
Thompson was involved in conversations about distributing 135kg of heroin, 6kg of cocaine, and 10kg of cannabis. His messages included references to "pies and slots in vans"—concealed compartments in vehicles used to transport drugs—and "sending someone to Hyundai in Leicester for parts" as a front for moving his merchandise.
Defence and sentencing
Thompson has five prior convictions for 11 offences, including a 15-month sentence for involvement in supplying a controlled substance. His defence counsel, Lloyd Morgan, said Thompson suffered a stroke in 2022, which had a "marked effect" on him. Morgan argued Thompson was "not at the top of the tree" and acted on instructions from a user called "Loyal Owl", though the prosecution claimed they were of equal standing.
Morgan told the court: "Genuine remorse is evidenced by the letter he has written and that from his mother, explaining about the steps he has taken to rehabilitate himself, and the length of time since the offending concluded. He is an orderly on his wing, a trusted position. He is mentoring other prisoners. He has seen the light, as it were, and taken steps to ensure that he does not fall back into any criminal offending when he is released."
Thompson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to produce heroin, and two counts of possession of criminal property. Appearing via video link, he was handed a 14-year sentence.
Recorder Mark Ainsworth said: "In this case, the levels we are concerned with are substantial. It is frequently said in these cases, and I say it again now, that one cannot underestimate the impact that the trafficking in drugs, in particular class A drugs, has within society. Drugs such as heroin and cocaine cause havoc to people's lives and to their relationships. It causes misery."
He added: "It is clear that you were organising and directing the buying and selling on a commercial scale. It is clear that you had substantial links to and influence on others in the chain. It is clear that you were close to the original source, and it is clear that you were acting in expectation of significant financial advantage."
