Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with supplying Class A drugs using the encrypted phone network Encrochat.
Between December 2019 and June 2020 detectives identified two Encrochat handles: Octo Axe and Rocky-Panda which were suspected to be supplying cannabis, heroin and cocaine via the encrypted phone network.
Today, Thursday 22 October, Clayton Anthony Jones, 36, of the Spinney, Prescot was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine and heroin) and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug (cannabis).
Paul Barlow, 38, of Janes Brook Road, Southport was also charged with conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (cocaine) and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug (cannabis).
They have both been remanded in custody to appear at Wirral Magistrates Court today, Friday 23 October.
The charge forms part of the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic: a national investigation into the use of Encrochat encrypted mobile devices.