Two men who operated a criminal enterprise importing huge amounts of cocaine into the UK "thought they would never get caught". Jonathan Boylan, 46, and Ian Catharell, 50, were described as "good, decent men" who received "glowing" praise from people they knew.
Boylan was a former army officer, and Catharell, a former wedding and wildlife photographer, once earned a bravery award after running into a burning building in Croxteth to rescue a disabled man.
Judge's remarks on character
Judge Simon Medland, at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, July 23, said: "It is therefore doubly regrettable, on account of these references to your character, that I have to pass sentence on you for these offences, which are of a very high order of seriousness."
The two men had secretly been running a conspiracy to import class A drugs into the UK from Europe and beyond. Boylan, of no fixed address but formerly of St Helens, was also involved in a conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited firearms and ammunition, namely a 7.62mm calibre rifle.
Encrochat network
They used the encrypted communications platform Encrochat, with Boylan using the handle RichZone and Catharell using DutifulLeopard. The network was taken down by international law enforcement in 2020, resulting in numerous arrests of people using the devices for organised crime.
They appeared in court via a video link from HMP Liverpool. Boylan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import class A drugs (cocaine), two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine and heroin), conspiracy to sell or transfer a prohibited weapon, conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition and conspiracy to possess criminal property.
Catharell, of Harbrook Close, Huyton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import class A drugs (cocaine), conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine), and conspiracy to possess criminal property.
Scale of the operation
Prosecutor Henry Riding said: "An investigation into Encrochat data supplied by the French authorities revealed DutifulLeopad was being used by Catharell. There were messages in this data referring to his wife by name, the vehicle that he drove, and automatic number plate recognition matched the trips that he had made in that particular vehicle."
He said Catharell had been involved in communications about the purchase and supply of almost 146kg of cocaine worth £5m, and 35kg of heroin worth £490,000. Messages also discussed the transfer and movement of dirty cash to the tune of £595,000, €38,000, and other assets worth about £3,000.
Mr Riding said: "Catharell was discussing the import of cocaine at the rate of 2kg every other day." In other messages, "he was discussing the importation of 40kg of cocaine per week".
One of his regular contacts was RichZone, identified as Boylan. Mr Riding said: "There were references to two separate motor vehicles Boylan was insured to drive, to his girlfriend by name and the fact that she was not a UK citizen."
There were also references to Boylan's late sister's date of birth and her passing, and journeys matched by ANPR records and cell site data. A photograph on the Encrochat device showed the rear of the St Helens property where Boylan lived.
Drug concealment methods
The dad-of-one was involved in conversations about the purchase and importation of wholesale amounts of cocaine from Europe. He also discussed methods for hiding the drugs, such as "dissolving in alcohol or concealing in coconuts".
In total, between 48kg and 72kg of cocaine was directly attributed to Boylan, and between 61kg and 108kg was attributed to Catharell. Boylan was also involved in the supply of around 6kg of heroin. The prosecution said "because they were on Encrochat, they thought they would never get caught".
Firearm conspiracy
Boylan was also involved in a conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons and ammunition. Mr Riding said: "There were two occasions Boylan offered for sale a firearm or ammunition to other Encrochat users." However there was no evidence he had direct possession of that firearm, but the message suggests he knew where they were and how to obtain them.
Boylan was arrested in Bulgaria in June 2025, and was extradited to the UK later that month. Nick Cockrell, defending him, said Boylan had received "exceptional mitigation" from HMP Altcourse, where he had taken up work as a prison mentor.
He said: "He is an active role model who has supported other prisoners. [The staff member] believes Boylan was spearheading the initiative and that self harm had reduced by almost 50% as a result of his direct involvement."
He added: "He has a lot to offer and he will continue to use his time constructively in custody. He has a grown up daughter now in university. Having left the army in 2001, until his offending in this case, he led a law-abiding and hardworking life."
Defence mitigation
Stuart Mills, defending Catharell, said: "Catharell is a family man. He has a wife of 14 years. He has a 13-year-old son at home and two adult children. His young son has been hit particularly hard by the loss of his father."
He said Catharell had tried his hand at photography but that started to dry up. "The money from that wasn't really meeting the bills, he fell into debt, financially struggling, and that's what led him to this offending." On top of that, his partner lost her job. "To make ends meet, he turned to this."
He said Catharell was struggling with a £15,000 debt, which he was in the process of paying off at the time of his arrest in April last year. He said: "Catharell deeply regrets his involvement. He's ashamed of the embarrassment he has brought on his family. He's someone who is unlikely to darken the doorway of this court, or any other court, in the future."
Sentencing
Sentencing, Judge Medland said: "You're both men of middle age and outside the context of this case you're only describable as good, decent men. Each of you has been able to put before the court personal character references from people in authority who know you, and can only be described as glowing. In terms of your conduct while on remand, you couldn't have done more or better than you have done."
"It is therefore doubly regrettable, on account of these references to your character, that I have to pass sentence on you for these offences, which are of a very high order of seriousness."
"It's a regrettable aspect of my job as a judge that I'm daily confronted with the dreadful outcomes for people and society, particularly this fine city, from class A and class B drugs. Literally they destroy people's lives, they hurt society, they break up families, they destroy mental health and wellbeing, they prevent people from being able to be active members of society."
"Therefore sentences for people who conspire to import or supply such drugs must be very substantial, even for men of good character such as you both undoubtedly are."
Boylan was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison. Catharell was sentenced to a total of 13 years and six months.
