Joseph Kearney, 44, from Dunmurry, was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court on 5 October 2026 for drugs offences connected to EncroChat, the encrypted communications network used by criminals. He received a four-and-a-half-year term, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.

The case arose from Operation Venetic, the National Crime Agency-led investigation, supported by European law enforcement partners, which infiltrated the EncroChat platform and exposed extensive criminal activity.

Kearney was arrested after Police Service of Northern Ireland officers searched his home in 2020 and recovered cannabis along with more than £250,000 in cash.

Detective Inspector Kelly from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Organised Crime Branch said: "EncroChat was an encrypted phone network deemed to be used by the global criminal fraternity to plan illegal activity, typically drug importation and the movement of money.

"Having identified Joseph Kearney as the user of an encrypted mobile phone, police carried out a search of his home in Dunmurry in June 2020. "Here, a number of items were located and recovered, including over a quarter of a million pounds in cash, bags of cannabis with an estimated street value of around £30,000, as well as documentation and a banknote counting machine.

"Kearney was subsequently arrested and later charged to court."

Detective Inspector Kelly continued: "An analysis of his mobile phone revealed significant references to money laundering, the importation, possession and supply of controlled drugs, with suspected drug dealing activities listed within the documents recovered.

"Throughout this case we have worked closely with partners, including the National Crime Agency and prosecutors from the Public Prosecution Service.

"It's thanks to such collective efforts, backed by our own Cyber Crime Centre and Economic Crime Unit, that we were able to bring the defendant before court.

"The investigation, and today's result, is a reflection of our ongoing commitment and joint efforts to bring organised crime groups, and anyone involved in criminal activity, to justice.

"Working with our partners, we will continue to investigate and disrupt the illegal activities of those who bring drugs, and essentially bring nothing but harm, to vulnerable members of our communities."