Two men, from County Armagh, were sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court today, October 6, for multiple drug-related offences.
Jeffrey McClean, aged 50, and Darran McConville, aged 48, had been charged with offences linked to EncroChat, a highly encrypted phone network used globally by criminals.
The joint investigation stems from Operation Venetic which, led by the National Crime Agency and backed by European law enforcement agencies, successfully infiltrated the EncroChat network.
Today, McClean, from Hawthornes in Portadown, was given a sentence of five years and four months, half to be served in custody and half on licence.
McConville, from Market Street Court in Tandragee, was sentenced to eight years, half to be served in custody and half on licence.
Detective Inspector McCamley, from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch, said: “Following searches of their respective Portadown and Tandragee homes, both men were arrested on September 1, 2020 and subsequently charged to court.
“In October 2025, Jeffrey McClean admitted to 13 charges. Numerous drug-related charges, relating to April and May 2020, included conspiracy to possess cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He also admitted to transferring criminal property, as well as assisting in the acquisition of a pepper spray.
DI McCamley continued: “In December 2025, McClean’s co-defendant Darran McConville pleaded guilty to 16 charges including conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to convert criminal property, as well as multiple drug charges, including the supply of cocaine and cannabis.”
The detective added: “EncroChat was an encrypted phone network used by the global criminal fraternity. Essentially, it was used by organised crime groups to plan illegal activity, such as drug importation and the movement of cash.
“Thanks to the infiltration of the EncroChat network, criminals have been, and will continue to be, held to account.
“Here, thanks to an extensive examination of intercepted messages, we clearly see the involvement of both McClean and McConville in serious and organised criminality – from drugs to, in the case of the latter, conspiracy to murder.
“The investigation has relied upon collective efforts. We’ve worked closely with prosecutors from the Public Prosecution Service and the National Crime Agency. Internally, our Organised Crime Branch has had the backing of detectives from both our Cyber Crime Centre and Economic Crime Unit.
“Today’s sentencing is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to bring those involved in criminal activity to justice. Working with partners, we will continue to disrupt the movements and activities of organised crime groups, who bring nothing but harm to the most vulnerable within our communities.”
The judge ordered that a confiscation investigation be conducted.
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