A Co Armagh man who was involved in the importation of cocaine and cannabis and money laundering of just over £660,000 has been jailed.
Rory Trainor, from Dunbrae in Newry, pleaded guilty to a total of 37 charges – linked to EncroChat, an encrypted phone network used by criminals – at the Crown Court in Derry.
The 48-year-old, who committed the offences on dates between March and June of 2020, was told he will spend half of his five-and-a-half-year sentence behind bars and the remainder on licence.
The investigation and Tuesday’s sentencing stems from Operation Venetic which, led by the National Crime Agency and backed by European law enforcement agencies, successfully infiltrated the EncroChat network.
Detective Inspector McCamley from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch said that EncroChat was an encrypted phone network used by organised crime groups to plan illegal activity, such as drug importation and the movement of cash.
He said: “A search of the defendant’s home in Newry took place in July 2020. A subsequent and extensive examination of data obtained from the EncroChat network revealed exchanges between the defendant and multiple criminal associates regarding drugs.
“Their interactions detailed the international transfer of drugs into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as where the best return could be achieved, and exchange rates for changing sterling into euro.
“The wealth of material uncovered, backed by CCTV footage of meetings and handovers, indicated Trainor’s involvement in both the importation and supply of Class A and Class B controlled drugs, namely cocaine and cannabis.
“Last November, Rory Trainor pleaded guilty to 37 offences relating to drugs and criminal property, all carried out between March and June in 2020.
“These included transferring criminal property and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
“The numerous drug-related offences included being concerned in the supply of a Class A controlled drug, as well as conspiracy to import a Class B drug and being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug.”
Detective Inspector McCamley added: “Throughout this case we have worked alongside partners, including the Public Prosecution Service and the National Crime Agency.
“And it’s thanks to collective efforts, backed by the expertise of detectives from our own Cyber Crime Centre and Economic Crime Unit, that we were able to bring the defendant before the court.
“Working with partners, we will continue to tackle and disrupt the movements and activities of organised crime groups.
“To those who make their money at the expense of vulnerable members of our communities, please be assured that you will be identified and you will be held to account.”
