Five members of a Greenock drug gang have been jailed for a total of 31 years and eight months after police cracked the encrypted EncroChat messaging service. The gang ran a drug operation from a fortified flat known as "the shop" in the Larkfield estate.
EncroChat crackdown
French authorities infiltrated EncroChat in 2020, leading to a series of arrests across Scotland. Police Scotland were tipped off to messages revealing a major drugs operation in Inverclyde. The gang sold cocaine, heroin, and valium pills from the heavily barricaded property.
Lee Docherty, 37, Ian Millar, 39, Brendan Gillan, 32, his father Daniel Gillan, 60, and Christopher McKellar, 44, were arrested. Police recovered around £150,000 worth of drugs and £12,775 in cash. Gang members used EncroChat to discuss the purchase of £700,000 of street Valium pills and shared photos of cocaine.
Fortified operations
The gang installed CCTV cameras and reinforced metal doors at the flat block due to paranoia about increased police presence during the covid lockdown. Docherty, the leader, used the handle "renegadeball" or "goldenshark" to control operations. Other handles included "sarcasticflamingo," "unrealegg," "warmhail," and "mrrr-celtic."
All five men pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow in April 2024 to being involved in serious organised crime. Docherty was sentenced to six years with a five-year SCPO, Millar received six years with a five-year SCPO, Brendan Gillan got six years with a three-year SCPO, Daniel Gillan was jailed for six years and four months, and McKellar received five years and four months.
Court details
Prosecutor Alexander Sutherland explained that each member had a "handle" on the EncroChat network. He described the Oxford Road property as the OCG's "centre of operations," where customers purchased drugs. The property was heavily protected with metal doors and CCTV to monitor arrivals and police presence.
Docherty was the "principal member" with a "large network of associates," providing leadership and advice. Millar was one of the "most trusted" recruits, while Brendan Gillan was involved in day-to-day running, and his father gave advice. McKellar, though not living in Greenock, played an important role in drug trafficking.
Sentencing remarks
After sentencing, Lord Mulholland said: "You were involved in the running of a sophisticated crime group. You ran it as a drugs supermarket and kept a warehouse to house the drugs. One involved said it was a drugs empire and another said it was a business."
Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at COPFS, said: "For years, the criminal activities of these individuals have impacted the everyday lives of many ordinary people in the Larkfield area of Greenock through their significant involvement in serious organised crime. They caused widespread disorder and disruption within the local community through the supply of drugs and their influence on young people."
