Man from Wigan jailed for drug supply

A man from Wigan has been jailed today (Friday 22 March) for 20 years for his involvement in a plot to supply Class A and B drugs across the UK.

Christopher Young, 44 of Holcroft Drive, Wigan was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court and is the latest to be jailed as part of Operation Venetic - an international operation targeting criminals who used a mobile encryption service to try to evade detection.

Young used the encro handle 'Silentwinter' to communicate with organised crime groups across the country and in Spain. Between March 2020 and June 2020, he played a leading role in supplying more than 24kg of cocaine, 2kg of heroin, 32kg of cannabis, with a street value of more than £1 million pounds. 

Detective Inspector Dave Worthington from the NWROCU's Operations Team said:

‘’We were able to attribute Young to the handle Silentwinter due to the overwhelming evidence on his phone where he provided unique information around his life, his job as a director of an electrician company, and what cars he drove.

“We know the destruction that drug supply causes and Merseyside Police remains relentless in our pursuit of these criminals and to bring down serious and organised criminal groups. 

"I hope this sends a clear message that our officers will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of people who think they are above the law and believe they can evade justice."