A man linked to serious organised crime who discussed in encrypted mobile phone messages making enough money from drugs-trafficking to buy 100 flats has been jailed for seven years.
John McDuff, 40, also agreed with a criminal associate’s claim that they were responsible for operating the most extensive drugs-running network in Glasgow.
But he was brought to justice after police retrieved dozens of mobile messages between him and others on the EncroChat phone network used by criminals, which he had been using to co-ordinate his illegal activities.
McDuff, of Glasgow, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to being involved in serious organised crime between March and June 2020.
Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for serious casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “I hope that this conviction and sentence sends a strong message to others involved in this kind of criminal behaviour and demonstrates the ability of police and prosecutors to investigate, prepare and prosecute serious and organised crime of this nature.
“The Crown will continue working with the police and other agencies as a member of Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to ensure that these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.”
“This man is now serving a prison sentence thanks to an extensive police operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply.
“With each case of this kind we can help reduce the harm that these drugs inflict on Scotland’s communities.”
The court was told how McDuff, a body builder, used the Encrochat handles “reverselily”
and “Biggie-gla” to carry out the purchase, sale, supply and adulteration of controlled drugs, particularly cocaine and heroin.
A series of encrypted messages shown to the court laid bare the extent of his trafficking operation.
One conversation centred on consignments of cocaine and heroin with an individual who sent a photo of two blocks of drugs with a blue crocodile sticker on each.
This individual indicated that he could supply McDuff with six kilos of cocaine and 10 kilos of heroin.
There was also a discussion with another man over the supply of one million diazepam tablets valued at £65,000.
The court was also told about an online conversation on June 3, 2020, with a criminal associate who indicated that he could not supply McDuff with any more drugs until the accused cleared his outstanding balance, which was £604,000.
In a separate discussion, another associate told McDuff: “We are different from the rest. We have the biggest network combined in Glasgow 100%."
The pair also spoke about making enough money from drug-trafficking to be “sitting with 100 flats”.
The man told the accused: “We will be absolutely packing one day. 100 flats. We deserve it.”
In reply, McDuff said: “We do bro xx.”