A money launderer who used an encrypted chat network to cover up his crimes received a three-year sentence in Belfast.
Amuel McKeeg, 37, was convicted in Laganside Crown court on Thursday following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Half of his sentence will be served in custody and the rest of his license, as he pleaded guilty to a number of crimes, including conspiracy to possess a controlled class A drug with intent to deliver, possession of criminal property, transfer of criminal property and possession of counterfeit currency.
The verdict is the first in Northern Ireland to result directly from Operation Venetic, led by the NCA.
This was part of the UK law enforcement response to the abolition of the EncroChat network in 2020.
The encrypted communication channel was used by criminals to plan crimes such as drug trafficking and cash transfers.
Detective Inspector McCumley of the Northern Ireland Police Service added: “McKeege was part of an organized crime gang involved in the supply of Class A and Class B controlled drugs and involved in laundering hundreds of thousands of pounds. This was done through EncroChat.
“This investigation and the subsequent verdict are the result of Operation Venetic. “During the investigation, we worked closely with partners, including the NCA and prosecutors.”
He added: “Thanks to such joint efforts, backed by digital forensic evidence obtained by detectives from the Police Cybercrime Center, we have been able to arrest and subsequently bring McKeeg to justice. In fact, today’s sentence is the first in Northern Ireland to result directly from a nationally conducted operation.
“This is an example of our ongoing commitment to bringing to justice those involved in criminal activity. By working with our partner agencies, we will continue to disrupt the movements and activities of organized crime groups that do nothing but harm local communities. “
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