A garage owner's criminal partnership with a drug trafficker known only as "Loyal Owl" gave him Rolex and Cartier watches, Louis Vuitton goods and a Land Rover. Bradley Thompson utilised the handle "Mind Waiter" on encrypted communications platform EncroChat.
This enabled him to secretly plot the supply of more than 150kg of heroin, cocaine and cannabis, prior to the network being infiltrated by French police in 2020. But he was unmasked after attending a barbecue and sharing personal details such as the names of relatives, his birthday and his business with contacts.
How Thompson was identified
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Friday, that Thompson was identified as being behind the "Mind Waiter" account after using his son's name as the lock screen password of his device, which was also found to "predominantly locate" close to his address. The 40-year-old, of Martingale Close in Aintree, meanwhile made reference in his messages to "R Helen" and her date of birth, matching the details of his aunt by the same name.
Henry Riding, prosecuting, described how Thompson also spoke of attending a barbeque at the home of the boyfriend of a relative of his partner, who himself was convicted in relation to his use of EncroChat. He was further incriminated by mentions of his own birthday, the garage he operated, his own partner's name and his mum's address while speaking to associates.
Scale of the operation
Thompson was also said to have exchanged a "raft of messages" concerning "pies and slots in vans", or hides in vehicles used to transport drugs, including charging £1,500 to fit such a stash on behalf of other criminals. His communications meanwhile discussed "sending someone to Hyundai in Leicester for parts" as cover for moving his wares.
Overall, Thompson was shown to be involved in discussions relating to the supply of 135kg of heroin, 6kg of cocaine and 10kg of cannabis. He was belatedly arrested on February 12 this year, at which stage police seized £24,500 in cash, Rolex and Cartier watches, a Louis Vuitton handbag, a Land Rover Discovery and a Ford Transit van from his home.
Defence and sentence
Thompson has five previous convictions for 11 offences. The most recent came in June 2008, when he was handed 15 months for being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.
Lloyd Morgan, defending, detailed how Thompson had subsequently suffered a stroke in 2022, with his health issues having had a "marked effect" on him since. He told the court: "In my submission, this is a case where Mr Thompson was not at the top of the tree. He was not the boss of the conspiracy. There were others above him."
Mr Morgan pointed to messages which were said to show Thompson "acting on instructions" from the user of the handle "Loyal Owl", although the prosecution submitted they were "both of an equal standing". But the defence barrister added: "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. Of course, there is the support of his family. There are a number of members of his family in court today."
Thompson admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to produce heroin and two counts of possession of criminal property. Appearing via video link wearing a grey t-shirt and glasses, he was jailed for 14 years.
Sentencing, 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. That is why people who engage in the trafficking of these drugs regularly go to prison, and those who engage in the large scale trafficking of these drugs go to prison for a very long time.
"There are a number of factors in this case which are particularly unattractive. It is clear that, in some respects, you were using your business as cover for your criminal activity. There are references to the vans and parts that may be used to conceal quantities of drugs.
"You have been to prison before. It was a long time ago and it was in relation to drugs, but I put that to one side when I look at the evidence in this case. I treat you as a man with no relevant previous convictions, because what took place was a long time ago when you were much, much younger.
"Plainly, these offences took place some time ago. Frankly, your use of the EncroChat device meant that it was always going to be difficult for the law enforcement authorities to identify these offences. Since then, there have been significant developments in your circumstances, not least a significant deterioration in your health.
"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."
