Police bring down major cocaine dealer with links to encrypted crime network

A man has been jailed after specialist officers exposed his role in supplying large quantities of class A drugs – uncovered thanks to the dismantling of an encrypted chat platform.

Chaitanya Sharma was sentenced to 14 years at Leicester Crown Court on Friday 22 May after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

When police executed a warrant at the 33-year-old’s home address in Babingley Drive, Leicester, in November last year, officers uncovered four kilos of cocaine – estimated to be worth more than £400,000, £58,000 worth of cannabis, more than £110,000 in cash and gold bars worth around £70,000.

Designer clothing, handbags and sunglasses were also found at the address.

Sharma was also arrested from the address and taken into custody to be questioned by police.

His arrest followed extensive work by specialist detectives in the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Serious Organised Crime team, who had identified Sharma as being involved in illegal drug activity through the encrypted communications platform EncroChat.

The network was used globally as a messaging service, almost exclusively by organised crime groups.

In early 2020, the platform was dismantled as part of a huge international law enforcement operation - enabling UK police forces to access previously hidden criminal communications.

As part of this effort, detectives in EMSOU have been examining recovered data relating to criminals operating in the East Midlands under specific EncroChat usernames.

Two of these usernames were shown to belong to Sharma.

Analysis showed between March and June 2020, Sharma had been involved in the supply of large amounts of class A drugs, including at least 27 kilograms of cocaine.

Investigators estimate that during this period he obtained and repaid £489,500 in cash linked to drug transactions.

Before officers carried out the enforcement, they worked meticulously to build a case – using the EncroChat data to establish Sharma’s criminal activity and identify his involvement in the supply of cocaine in the region.

This vital work led to Sharma pleading guilty to all three offences.

Detective Sergeant Chris Sewell said: “Sharma had been involved in the supply of cocaine to the value of a least nearly half a million pounds and it is clear from the cash and designer goods found at his address he was profiting immensely from this illegal activity. 

“The information gained from EncroChat, combined with the painstaking work of our officers, allowed us to dismantle his operation and bring him to justice. We will continue to target and disrupt organised crime groups who cause harm in our communities.”