Dundee man involved in serious organised crime jailed
The 36 year-old is the first person in Scotland to be convicted as part of Operation Venetic
A man with links to serious organised crime has been jailed for eight years for running a drugs operation in Dundee.
Aaron Bradford was sentenced at the High Court in Aberdeen after being involved in the supply of Class A and Class B Drugs.
The 36 year-old is the first person in Scotland to be convicted as part of Operation Venetic, which relies on data gathered by French agencies on the EncroChat communication network.
The platform is often used by serious organised crime gangs.
Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal, Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “This was a coordinated effort to release a sizeable quantity of drugs into Dundee.
“But now, thanks to the efforts of Police Scotland and COPFS, this individual faces a lengthy prison sentence.
“We will continue to target all those who threaten communities across Scotland, not only drug couriers but also those who direct their movements.
“With each case of this kind we can help reduce the harm these drugs inflict on those communities.
“COPFS will continue working with the police and other agencies as a member of Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to ensure that these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.
“Proceeds of Crime proceedings have now been commenced to ensure the profits obtained through criminal conduct are confiscated.”
How police tracked down Bradford
The court heard that messages from an EncroChat user called “Elpazzo” discussed the supply of drugs, including cocaine, amphetamine, and cannabis, between March and June 2020.
In one conversation, he forwarded on a picture of cocaine while another conversation centred on how one drug deal had earned him £17,000.
Officers later identified “Elpazzo” as Bradford through vet and taxi booking records.
A police search of his home in Dundee in June 2020 as part of Operation Venetic uncovered a haul of drug paraphernalia.
This included a blender, digital scales which contained trace amounts of cocaine and benzocaine, a hydraulic press as well as a list which showed outstanding debts and drug deal amounts alongside a list of names.