Southend: EncroChat drug dealers jailed

A dealer who believed he was safe while using encrypted messages to sell Class A drugs across the UK has been jailed alongside two runners who worked for him.

Thanks to an extensive investigation carried out by our specialist drug officers, we established 27-year-old Karl Newell had operated the Purepoint line in the Southend area.

Our inquiries, which included exhaustive analysis of several devices used to advertise and sell drugs, found the line was also operating throughout the country.

A sentencing hearing at Basildon Crown Court heard the operation was prolific, involving the turnover of around 10kg of drugs.

Newell was at the drug line’s centre, using EncroChat – an encrypted platform popular with organised criminals – to lead the illicit trade.

Our officers seized several devices and found Newell had given out personal details in his false belief the chats would be secure.

Images found on devices showed large sums of cash and drugs.

Chat logs advertising the sale of heroin and crack cocaine referenced the amount and quality of the substances on sale.

Further messages showed co-defendants Jack Bayliss, 24, and Indrit Cakoni, 21, were working for Newell, with Cakoni even setting up his own drug line, Zino, operating alongside the main operation.

Our investigation found Newell, under the EncroChat handle name ‘dealsonwheels’, was involved in the wholesale purchasing of Class A drugs and their supply throughout the UK, handling large sums of cash and living a lavish lifestyle beyond his means.

We found evidence the Purepoint line had been in operation since September 2017.

Cakoni and Bayliss were arrested and interviewed in August 2020, answering no comment to all questions asked.

When we executed warrants at addresses relating to Newell, his family told us he had left the country.

Following a thorough investigation, Newell was arrested in Spain in December 2020 and extradited back to the UK.

Newell, of Brookfields Avenue, Greater London, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to eight years and 310 days’ imprisonment.

Bayliss, of Steeple Close, Rochford, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and two counts of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

He was sentenced to six years and 237 days’ imprisonment.

Cakoni, of Reddown Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was jailed for six years and six months.

PC Michael Brimfield, officer in charge of the case, works with specialist unit Operation Raptor to target county drug lines. He said: 

“Our extensive investigation has seen the dismantling of a drug line responsible for distributing harmful Class A substances not only in Essex, but across the country.
“Those responsible believed they could hide their illicit and brazen operation behind encrypted messages.
“They were wrong.
“We have been consistently clear that drug life doesn’t pay in Essex. Those who believe they can evade the law and sell illicit drugs to vulnerable people in our communities are mistaken.”

At Essex Police, we value difference, and know that we’re strongest when we all work together.

If you share our values and want to protect and serve our communities, why not join us?

If you think you could protect and serve the people of Essex, either as a police officer, member of staff or volunteer, why not see if you fit the bill?? Find out more by visiting our careers page.