Two jailed over huge plot to distribute class A drugs

DEALER WAS SEEN AS 'VALUED MEMBER OF COMMUNITY' WHILE HIDING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES

- By BEN HASLAM

AN EncroChat dealer who was the 'right-hand man' of a senior figure in an organised crime group was described as a 'valued member of the community' while hiding his illicit activities.

Lawrence Hill was embroiled in a huge EncroChat plot that spanned years where 'eye-watering' amounts of class A drugs were distributed across the country.

Hill, 52, used the encrypted messaging service under the alias 'FrostyHand' to plot and receive instructions from Joseph Toole, 55, known as 'SummerHillNew, with both involved in the sales of hundreds of kilograms of class A drugs.

Merseyside Police found messages on the platform where Toole and Hill would liaise with user 'Jab-baTheHutt' on the wholesale of cocaine and heroin.

During the sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Jason Smith, defending Hill, explained how the defendant had been a 'valued member of the community' despite him pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply 262kg of cocaine and 111kg of heroin, as well as officers finding £10,800 in cash at his home on Longmeadow Road, in Knowsley Village.