A man involved in the supply of illegal drugs using an encrypted phone network have been jailed for 11 years and three months.

Tom Ambler, of Glebe Lane, Barming, near Maidstone, admitted two charges of conspiring to supply cannabis and cocaine.

He was arrested after police found a VW van he was travelling with his child in also had a stash of cannabis.

His pal, Lewis Spratt, of Repton Avenue, Ashford, was also jailed for three years and seven months on one charge.

They were arrested following an investigation by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how the dealers used an Encrochat network to carry out their dealing.

Prosecutor Eleanor Scott‑Davies told Maidstone Crown Court; "An encrypted platform used by those involved in organised crime to co-ordinate, plan and execute their nefarious activities, undetected.

"The platform has no legitimate use and is exclusively used in organised crime in an effort to evade the authorities, " she added

Ms Scott-Davies added: "Encrochat handsets are specialist pieces of equipment. They are expensive to buy and Encrochat network subscriptions are also very expensive.

"The Crown therefore says that the very use of an Encrochat handset is indicative of serious, organised crime with an intention, and expectation, to make substantial gain."

In early to mid 2020 French and Dutch authorities were able to obtain messages that had been sent and received on the Encrochat network.

The court heard that there was a number attributed to the usernames of “gravecheetah” and “sacredboar” – believed to be Ambler and Spratt.

She added that the Crown believed that the controlled drugs discussed in this case were worth in the region of £1,442,000.

"Over a two and a half month period, Ambler would have made £48,750 profit from the cocaine and £34,000 from the cannabis," added Ms Scott-Davies.

"The messages from the Encrochat devices showed that Ambler facilitated the wholesale distribution of industrial quantities of controlled drugs, agreeing a quantity and price for the product, before arranging meeting points for exchanges to taken place.”

Ambler 25, later admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and conspiring to supply cannabis and amphetamine.

Spratt, 27, admitted one conspiracy charge and is expected to be released as he has served time in custody and on tagged curfew.

Amber was stopped in 2020 driving a VW Caddy van. with his four-year-old son with him.

"He was told his van was going to be searched and he told the Police that there was Cannabis inside, which he said he had collected on behalf of another, " added Ms Scott-Davies.

By using encrypted phone devices both men had wrongly assumed they could operate with impunity...

Detective Sergeant Dean Sycamore said: ‘By using encrypted phone devices both men had wrongly assumed they could operate with impunity, believing the network to communicate with their suppliers and customers was secure.

“However, we have been able to access a vast amount of evidence contained within messages they were sending and receiving.

“Our investigation has been able to clearly demonstrate that Ambler was dealing substantial amounts of drugs over a sustained period, selling cocaine by the kilogram at up to £40,000 a time.

“It was also clear that Spratt had played a significant role in this operation, leaving both men with little choice but to plead guilty at court.

“This was a sophisticated and complex criminal network, but one which was ultimately doomed to failure due to the offenders’ mistaken belief they could escape detection.”