Manchester’s most prolific #Encrochat gang members criminals behind bars

Greater Manchester Police’s largest operation tackling organised crime groups have made 256 arrests and put some of the UK’s most sophisticated criminals in jail for a combined total of over 1000 years.

Operation Foam is the codename for the ongoing GMP led investigations into the criminals who use encrypted mobile phones – EncroChat devices – to orchestrate their criminal business. Previously, the technology behind these devices made it impossible for police to obtain any data or evidence.

The criminals believed these encrypted devices rendered them untouchable, and over the years, they have sought to facilitate the most heinous crimes.

But in almost three years, Operation Foam has garnered significant results, removing some of Greater Manchester’s most sophisticated criminals from our streets. In that time, we have:

Made 256 arrests.
Jailed 111 individuals, for a combined total of 1013 years, with a further 111 awaiting trial.
Seized over £2.9 million cash. As part of the national Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) a portion of this will be returned to GMP to fund community initiatives.
Seized over 330kg of class A and B drugs, and 2.6 million class C tablets.
Removed 42 firearms and 1303 rounds of ammunition from the streets of Greater Manchester.