Ross McGill, a notorious gangster, used the Encrochat handle 'Burritocastle' to coordinate drug deals with his associate John Barry McDuff, a former Mr Scotland titleholder. The handle was inspired by a fast food business McGill ran in East Kilbride.
Encrochat Hacked, McGill Fled
French police hacked the Encrochat network in 2020, prompting McGill and McDuff to flee Scotland for Spain. McDuff later returned and was jailed at the High Court in Glasgow in 2024 for drug dealing. McGill, however, moved to Dubai and expanded his criminal enterprise.
Boasts of Drug Empire
In Encrochat messages, McGill told McDuff: "We are different from the rest. We will make it bro. We have the biggest network combined in Glasgow 100%." McDuff replied: "Defo brother we will do just fine." They also discussed having enough cash to be "sitting with 100 flats" and trafficked cannabis.
McDuff's Encrochat Activity
McDuff used handles like 'BIggie-Gla' on Encrochat and communicated with dealer Paul Easdon, who used 'glasgowceltic'. Easdon boasted his cartel made £4 million a month from cocaine sales and was jailed for six years in 2024.
McGill's Background
McGill co-owned a dry cleaning business with McDuff in East Kilbride and had a fast food operation with Gordon Blackwood. Blackwood, convicted in 2014 for possessing half a kilo of cocaine worth £20,000, introduced McGill to drug dealers. A source said: "McGill met Blackwood on a night out and as a teenager, he was impressed by this older guy who liked to brag about having loads of money."
McGill's Current Status
McGill remains in Dubai, avoiding arrest. A source told the Record: "McGill knows the cops want him over Encrochat so he doesn't ever plan to come home." The source added that the hack inadvertently helped McGill: "If it wasn't for the hack he would never have moved to Dubai and moved his criminal enterprise onto the next level."
