Explosive leaked messages from the encrypted EncroChat network have exposed a ruthless gangland enforcer who ordered a Liverpool hitman to carry out horrific acid attacks on rivals.
The chilling texts reveal how the criminal mastermind directed a campaign of violence, including ordering assailants to "blind" opponents with corrosive substances.
The Dark World of EncroChat Exposed
Investigators uncovered the shocking communications as part of Operation Venetic, the UK's largest ever law enforcement operation against organised crime. The encrypted platform, favoured by criminals for its supposed security, became their undoing as police cracked its encryption in 2020.
A Campaign of Terror
The messages show:
- Detailed planning of violent attacks against rival gang members
- Specific instructions to use acid as a weapon
- Financial transactions for criminal services
- Celebration after successful attacks
One particularly disturbing exchange shows the enforcer directing his hitman: "Make sure he never sees again - use the bottle."
Liverpool's Criminal Underworld
The operation has shed light on Liverpool's gang landscape, revealing:
- How organised crime groups operate in the city
- The extent of violence between rival factions
- The sophisticated methods used to avoid detection
Police sources indicate this is just the tip of the iceberg, with hundreds of similar cases currently being investigated across the UK.
Justice Served
Thanks to the EncroChat breakthrough:
- Over 1,000 criminals have been arrested nationwide
- More than £54 million in cash has been seized
- Countless violent crimes have been prevented
A police spokesperson stated: "These messages reveal the cold, calculated nature of organised crime. But they've also given us unprecedented insight to dismantle these networks."
