Prisoner who ‘made £500k each two months’ supplying medicine behind bars dies in his cell

Johnpaul Digweed was serving a 25-year prison sentence for supplying vast amounts of cocaine and heroin using EncroChat when he was found hanged in his cell at HMP Garth, in Lancashire, in April 2024

An EncroChat dealer who allegedly “made £500k every two months” by supplying drugs within prison was found dead in his cell.

Johnpaul Digweed, who was serving a 25-year sentence for dealing large quantities of cocaine and heroin via EncroChat, was discovered hanged in his cell at HMP Garth, Lancashire, in April 2024. A public report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), which probes all deaths in custody, concluded there was no evidence that the 36-year-old father was at an increased or immediate risk of suicide when he died.

However, ombudsman Adrian Usher highlighted concerns about staff not adhering to guidelines when conducting welfare checks, although he stated he couldn’t be certain this would have altered the outcome in Digweed’s case.

The ombudsman suggested that Digweed may have been concerned about finances at the time of his death. He also indicated it was highly probable that the class A dealer continued his criminal activities behind bars, stating “there was significant evidence that [Digweed] was involved in prison drug culture and he was found in possession of a mobile phone numerous times”.

Digweed, initially held at HMP Liverpool before stints in Forest Bank and Leeds, was moved to Garth, in Lancashire, in June 2022. The ombudsman revealed that “throughout his time in Garth, the prison received significant intelligence that he was involved in organising drone deliveries of drugs and other illicit items and on six occasions he was found with a mobile phone in his possession”.

The prison’s security team provided intelligence suggesting Digweed, operating under the EncroChat alias “Diorpaw”, was “involved in organising drone deliveries to the prison of contraband including mobile phones”. Further intelligence also discovered he had “threatened other prisoners”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Mr Usher stated in February 2024 “an intelligence report showed that certain prisoners on C Wing, including Mr Digweed, were making about £400,000 to £500,000 every couple of months from the proceeds of contraband sent into the prison by drone”.

However, the intelligence also indicated Digweed was facing pressure from other inmates within the prison. In November 2023, CCTV captured four prisoners entering his cell and later he was discovered with slash wounds.

He insisted he had tripped but his security file suggested the incident was believed to be related to drug debt and gang activity. A prison officer claimed the prisoners suspected of assaulting Digweed were associates of another inmate believed to be in debt to the dealer.

A fellow inmate who resided in the cell adjacent to Digweed revealed that the dealer “enjoyed taking cocaine in prison and could get hold of it relatively easily”. He further stated that he didn’t believe Digweed was in debt or under pressure as he was “in the right circle”.

The investigators discovered that the only reference to suicidal thoughts in Digweed’s prison record was when he was on remand. However, in September 2023, while under the influence of cocaine, he had self-harmed by making superficial cuts to his chest. The ombudsman found no evidence that the prison had initiated suicide and self-harm support procedures, known as ACCT.

Inmates at Garth are permitted a prison laptop, but staff confiscated Digweed’s just days after he injured himself due to damage to the screen. By the time of his death, Digweed had not received a replacement laptop, which meant he had less control over ordering items from the prison shop, topping up his telephone account and selecting meals.

Recordings of Digweed’s prison calls in the days leading up to his death seemed to indicate that his relationship with his partner was under strain. However, in calls to a female relative, he sounded “in a good mood” and joked that he had “a few years left in me”.

The ombudsman report stated that the last time he spoke to his partner was on April 12 when he called her while intoxicated and she asked him to call back once he had sobered up. She said he had not given any indication that he was feeling low or suicidal.

Digweed was last seen alive during a routine count of prisoners at 7.39pm on April 12. At 5.17am the following day, his observation panel was covered and again at 9.07am at a welfare check. The staff responsible took no action. Around 11.30am, an officer unlocked the cell but did not look inside. Digweed was found dead by a fellow inmate.

The ombudsman’s report revealed that on the same day as his death, the prison received intelligence from inmates that Digweed was “wanted” by organised crime gangs outside the prison and was worried about debts. In text messages to his partner he mentioned being “sick of” things.

The ombudsman discovered that there was a missed opportunity to identify Digweed’s risk following the incident in September 2023. Mr Usher stated that the prison had also “dealt with individuals” involved in the roll and welfare checks but he was concerned there was a “more widespread problem with how staff respond to finding covered observation panels” which meant checks were not being conducted properly.

The clinical reviewer concluded the healthcare Digweed received for his physical health was equivalent to what he would receive in the community. However, she also concluded his mental healthcare was moderate and that he was not received after harming himself in September 2023.

The PPO put forward several recommendations, including that the governor should demonstrate how the prison will tackle blocked observation panels to comply with local processes and establish an assurance process to ensure all staff check through the observation panel before unlocking cells. The Prison Service had previously confirmed its full cooperation with the PPO investigation.

Digweed had refuted being the user of the “Diorpaw” handle, but Liverpool Crown Court heard that messages about his children helped identify him. These messages detailed the type of birthday parties he was organising for them.

Digweed seemed to primarily trade drugs with dealers in Devon and Cornwall, although other locations across the UK were mentioned in his messages to criminals. In his communications with other dealers, Digweed made it clear that his focus was on “swilling”, or diluting drugs, to maximise his profit.

He also sent additional messages confirming his identity. One image sent to him by another criminal depicted a block of cannabis labelled “Johnny Weed”. His response was: “Hahahaha lad who’s done that, its only missing dig out the name. My name is Johnny Digweed init.”

Digweed, formerly of Harlech Road in Crosby, was arrested in March 2021 and found guilty of seven counts of conspiracy to supply drugs and one count of money laundering. Prosecutors claimed he could be linked to the supply of at least 30 kilos of cocaine and 12 and a half kilos of heroin.

Judge David Swinnerton described Digweed as a “proud dad” who demonstrated “close, loving and supportive” behaviour towards his family, while simultaneously plaguing communities across the UK with drugs.

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