Drug dealer planned to smuggle 100kg of cocaine into the UK to distribute it using couriers, but his intentions were thwarted when European law enforcement intercepted the chat platform he was utilising. James Roberts, 42, orchestrated the scheme through EncroChat connections in South America with the aim to import the drug through Southampton. Roberts was discovered to be involved in approximately 220kg of class A drugs and handled over £1.7 million in cash through three separate conspiracies. Authorities were monitoring his activities when EncroChat, where he operated under aliases ‘SwiftFail’ and ‘RoboticGold’, was compromised in early 2020.
During a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that messages retrieved by the police showed Roberts communicating with a user in Columbia, discussing a plan to smuggle 100kg of cocaine through Southampton docks with the intention of distribution. Despite no evidence proving the arrival of the drugs, messages indicated the drugs would have been disseminated upon collection. Roberts was also implicated in significant financial transactions, including transferring out £169,000. One of his associates at a local level was former soldier Darren Spencer, 49, who primarily functioned as a broker, arranging orders and collecting debts.
Spencer, known by the handle ‘ApeChest’, was also convicted in the same count as Roberts on conspiracy charges related to the supply of heroin. The court heard of an instance where Roberts directed the sale of 6kg of heroin to another user, with Spencer tasked to chase the payment. When the payment was not forthcoming, Spencer turned to Roberts for guidance. Both men were apprehended on November 8, 2023, with cash seized from Spencer’s home and at Roberts’ residence. Despite remaining silent during police interviews, both men pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine, and transfer criminal proceeds at a previous court appearance.
At sentencing, Roberts received 13 years and four months, with the judge acknowledging his leading role in the drug operations, particularly in light of his previous drug-related conviction. Spencer, whose military record was highlighted as a testament to his character, was handed an eight-year prison term. The court considered various factors in determining the severity of their sentences, including the extent of their involvement in the drug trade and the duration of the conspiracies. As they were escorted to their cells, both Roberts and Spencer expressed gratitude towards the judge.