A Widnes-based organised crime gang has been sentenced to a combined 72 years in prison after a member's photograph of himself holding a balloon led detectives to identify him as the user of the EncroChat account 'Mexican Nova'. The gang was responsible for supplying more than 50kg of cocaine and 220kg of cannabis across England and Wales between September 2024 and November 2025.
Investigation and Breakthrough
Cheshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit launched Operation Dominating after identifying the EncroChat account 'Mexican Nova'. Over several months, detectives monitored messages that revealed the account was involved in supplying multiple kilograms of illegal drugs and assisting another high-level organised crime group with planning a drug importation. The account also sought to purchase a firearm magazine and ammunition, referring to it as '9mm sweets'. Three days later, a deal was finalised for 85 rounds of 9mm ammunition, collected from another EncroChat user in Grappenhall, Warrington.
The user behind 'Mexican Nova' grew confident and began revealing his identity, referring to himself as 'Col from Widnes' and 'three phones Jones'. The definitive evidence came when Colin Jones sent a photograph of himself holding a balloon and a gas canister to another user, enabling detectives to conclusively link him to the account.
Gang's Operations
Following the breakthrough, detectives identified Jones' wider organised crime group (OCG). Jones managed the OCG alongside Kevin Martindale, controlling a stash house and a network of couriers transporting drugs and cash across England and Wales. Covert officers observed regular meetings at local cafés. Leon Phillips was identified as a key member, with his home used as a collection point for drug packages. Peter Jensen and Jack Jones acted as primary couriers, hiring vehicles to transport multi-kilo amounts of drugs and counterfeit cigarettes to locations including North Wales, South Wales, Cheltenham, Birmingham, and Manchester.
Colin Dolman was a street-level dealer, while Brandon McCann was a major customer who purchased at least 10kg of cocaine from Jones and Martindale for distribution in Widnes. Gary Holding supplied cannabis, using imported cannabis oil to produce THC vapes and edibles.
Seizure and Arrests
In May 2025, Jones travelled to Dubai, entrusting Kevin Smith with the 'graft' phone. On June 6 2025, Smith directed Jensen to collect a drug package from Kent. Jensen hired a car from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, collected 20kg of cocaine, and was stopped and arrested on the M6 near Sandbach. The cocaine had a wholesale value of £340,000 to £600,000 and a street value exceeding £2.8m.
Following Jensen's arrest, Martindale fled to Malta and then Cyprus to meet Jones, returning to Widnes weeks later. Jones returned to the UK via Manchester Airport on October 28 2025. On November 8 2025, Cheshire Police conducted coordinated dawn raids at 11 addresses, arresting seven men. Gary Holding was arrested at a hotel in Leeds on November 11 2025.
Sentences
All nine men pleaded guilty. At Liverpool Crown Court on June 26 2026, eight were sentenced: Colin Jones (38) to 17 years, Kevin Martindale (40) to 15 years, Kevin Smith (37) to 8 years 4 months, Leon Phillips (43) to 8 years, Jack Jones (29) to 5 years 3 months, Brandon McCann (23) to 4 years 5 months, Gary Holding (48) to 3 years, and Colin Dolman (53) to 2 years 8 months. Peter Jensen (38) was sentenced to 10 years 6 months at Chester Crown Court on July 31 2025 after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
