A DEALER from Runcorn used an encrypted message system to supply enormous multi-kilo quantities of class A and B drugs.

Andrew Phillips, previously of Abbey Hey, then fled to the Netherlands, sparking a manhunt, before being caught and brought to justice.

The 38-year-old used the EncroChat communications network to discuss with other criminals the supply of cocaine and cannabis in the Runcorn area and beyond.

He was caught by detectives from Cheshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) who monitored and analysed the messages he was sending under the handle ‘Kindleaf’.

From March 27, 2020, and June 2, 2020, Phillips spoke to his associates about receiving or arranging for multiple deliveries of cocaine and cannabis and the onward distribution of the drugs.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Phillips was involved in the supply of drugsPhillips was involved in the supply of drugs (Image: Cheshire Police)

The court heard how Phillips supplied at least 12kg of cocaine and 34kg of cannabis during the period of his offending.

Arrest attempts were made at Phillips’ home address on October 26, 2021, but officers were unable to locate him.

It was quickly established that he had fled to another country, and a manhunt was subsequently launched.

The SOCU worked jointly with the National Crime Agency’s international liaison officer network and Dutch authorities after an EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was issued in February 2022.

Phillips was detained and arrested as he left a house in Haarlem, Netherlands, on March 30, 2022.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Phillips was involved in the supply of drugsPhillips was involved in the supply of drugs (Image: Cheshire Police)

He was sentenced to 14 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.

The sentence was welcomed by DI Nick Henderson, from the SOCU, who said: “We have been relentless in pursuing those who have so far been identified as using the secretive encrypted device in order to commit organised crime, and this will continue.

“Phillips, like many criminals, believed EncroChat would always be a safe and secure service to message freely and openly without being detected.

“He reaped the rewards of his criminality, but it was always going to catch up with him.

“Thanks to the work undertaken by law enforcement to take down the platform and the work of detectives who analysed the messages, he is now behind bars.”