Stuart George, a gang member who used the EncroChat username "Whiteradio," was jailed for more than five years for his part in a massive cocaine trafficking operation that began during the first covid lockdown in 2020.
The then 40-year-old was held after a raid at a drugs factory in Duntocher, West Dunbartonshire. He admitted being involved in serious and organised crime at the High Court in Glasgow in April 2023. His term was cut from seven years due to his guilty plea.
EncroChat messages exposed gang activity
The court heard how George and other gang members communicated via encrypted Encrochat messages to hide their activities. Prosecutor Bill McVicar said George had the username "Whiteradio." Mr McVicar said: "These messages were identified as part of a much larger inquiry involving police forces in France and the Netherlands."
The court heard George was being directed for the "collection and distribution" of cocaine and dirty money. His role in the gang was described as "courier/driver." Mr McVicar said the texts revealed George was involved in transporting 31kg of cocaine, which had a wholesale value of £1.2m.
Previous conviction and raid
George, a landscape gardener from Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, also received £5,630 in "wages." Mr McVicar said: "In the messages, he was also given instructions on what to say if stopped by police driving during the lockdown." Vehicles with "slots" - secret compartments to hide items - were also discussed.
On August 19 2020, police searched the garage unit in Duntocher. The court heard a "chemical process" was taking place there with adulterants to bulk out drugs being removed to make a "purer form" of cocaine to sell. George had previously been jailed in 2010 after a £1.5m amphetamine haul was discovered in his flat when his boiler went on fire.
EncroChat network infiltration
EncroChat was an encrypted communication network and service provider that sold customised, modified smartphones. It had about 60,000 users worldwide, including around 10,000 in the UK. Law enforcement infiltrated the network in 2020, leading to thousands of global arrests for organised crime.
