Drug seller’s empire got here crashing down due to a packet of crisps
James Hitchmough played a leading role in a huge EncroChat drug conspiracy across Merseyside – but his fingerprints on a Walkers Sensations packet exposed his criminal empire
James Hitchmough was jailed(Image: Merseyside Police)
A EncroChat heroin, cocaine and cannabis dealer was arrested as he returned from Dubai in order to “face the music”. James Hitchmough’s participation in the narcotics trade provided him with access to millions of pounds in criminal proceeds, funds which he ploughed into overseas property investments.
After remaining a fugitive abroad for several years following his crimes being uncovered by a packet of Walkers Sensations crisps, he has now “made a conscious decision to return” to the UK as he “couldn’t carry on any longer” as a wanted man. A judge today declared that he was “entrenched in the supply of drugs”, having led an operation which was “active every day across Merseyside”.
Liverpool Crown Court was told this afternoon, Tuesday, that Hitchmough, of Kingsway in Huyton, operated under the usernames “Brutal Whale” and “Roll Play” on EncroChat before the encrypted communications network was compromised by French police during 2020.
Communications exchanged during the spring and early summer of that year revealed the 35-year-old’s participation in negotiations to distribute 64.5kg of cocaine, 37.5kg of heroin and 33kg of cannabis, as well as the transportation of £2.48million in laundered money.
Holly Menary, prosecuting, outlined how Hitchmough operated an “established criminal business” and maintained “trusted connections to other high level criminal operations”, stating: “The business operated across Merseyside and was operating, effectively, every single day. He plainly had an expectation of substantial financial advantage and was organising, buying and selling on a commercial scale.”
Hitchmough also “provided advice to others about the best vehicles to use for covert transportation” and fulfilled a “key role in arranging for vehicles to be fitted with hides for this purpose”, having “facilitated the building of stashes in various wagons” as narcotics were transported across international frontiers. Ms Menary informed the court: “As a result of all the cash that he had access to, he was seen to facilitate others in purchasing properties abroad and owned at least one luxury watch.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
His criminal history reveals two prior convictions for three offences, including possession of a class B drug with intent to supply in 2012 and nine years for wounding and kidnapping in 2013. Stuart Mills, defending, stated on his behalf: “Mr Hitchmough is extremely pragmatic about all of this. He understands that there is going to be a substantial sentence today and, to his credit, he does not want me to take the time of the court by addressing unnecessary issues in mitigation.
“Mr Hitchmough had left the country. Despite that, he made the conscious decision to return to the United Kingdom, knowing that he would be arrested upon landing, knowing that he would then be incarcerated. But he simply could not carry on any longer whilst being sought by the authorities.
“He did not want to be in another country, waiting for what he thought might be the inevitable knock. He was in the United Arab Emirates. Quite how they would have been able to bring him back from there and the period it might have taken is anybody’s guess.
“The reality is that he wanted to come back to this country. He did the right and proper thing. He came back to face the music that your honour is going to play for him today. He is making good use of his time in custody. He wants to come out having put all of this behind him.
“He predominantly has only his mother and father whose support he enjoys. They, thankfully, have stood by him. He makes no bones about it. He has disgraced his family. They are dismayed at his involvement in this offending. It is going to take him a substantial time to try to rebuild confidence with his family.”
Hitchmough pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis and transferring criminal property. Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he received a 13-year prison sentence.
During sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne stated: “On any view, this was an established, large scale, highly active and sophisticated operation in which you clearly played a leading role. It was evident that you were deeply entrenched in the supply of these drugs, being in regular contact with other high level drug dealers.
“The operation was active every day across Merseyside. You were involved with the expectation of significant financial gain. You arranged for large amounts of money to be transferred across borders. You had access to large amounts of cash and helped others to buy property abroad. Those who engage in this sort of conduct at this level must expect to receive lengthy periods of imprisonment.”
Merseyside Police informed the ECHO that Hitchmough had been identified after fellow EncroChat users referred to him as “Jim” and “Jimmy”, with one having also discussed a fishing trip which had been paid for by him and shared a picture of his lakeside pitch. Officers were also able to match his fingerprints to those visible in a photograph which he sent of himself clutching a packet of Walkers Sensations crisps.
Hitchmough was subsequently arrested at Manchester Airport on October 27 last year following his return to the country on a flight from Dubai. Detective Sergeant Craig Doyle commented after today’s sentencing: “Hitchmough played a leading role in a huge conspiracy to supply significant quantities of dangerous illegal drugs.
“He thought that by using the encrypted Encrochat service and hiding behind names like Brutal Whale he would avoid detection. He even felt bold enough to discuss personal details on the service and send images of his activities. But the information and images he shared provided police with a weight of evidence that has helped put him behind bars for a long time.
“We know the misery caused by the sale and distribution of drugs, with vulnerable drug users and wider communities paying a heavy cost. We are committed to protecting the public by stopping the flow of drugs into Merseyside’s criminal markets.
“Drugs dealers do not care about the harm and devastation they cause. They care only about lining their pockets. But crime does not pay. It lands you in jail, and we will now progress a Proceeds of Crime Act application against Hitchmough to take his ill-gotten gains from him.”
