In a significant victory for law enforcement, Samuel Black, a 28-year-old resident of Dormers Rise, Ealing, has been sentenced to 21 and a half years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a dangerous drugs and firearms operation. The operation, which was run through the encrypted communication platform Enrochat in west London, came to an end thanks to the relentless efforts of tenacious officers.
Between April and June 2020, Black was found to be engaged in the supply of multiple firearms, including a .38 Revolver and a semi-automatic Walther PPK. He also had access to additional firearms, such as 9mm Glocks, and was involved in the distribution of more than 14.75 kilograms of cocaine and 60 kilograms of ‘skunk’ cannabis. Additionally, Black handled a staggering £2 million in cash, highlighting the scale of his illegal activities.
The breakthrough in the case came when Specialist Crime officers and staff from Met Intelligence were able to review crucial data, ultimately identifying Samuel Black as the owner of the ‘SAVAGETOPS’ and ‘EUROSANDPOUNDS’ handles on Enrochat. European partners, who had accessed the encrypted communications network Encrochat in 2020, provided vital information to the Metropolitan Police via the National Crime Agency (NCA). The handle associated with Black was given priority due to its involvement in both drug and firearm supply.
By thoroughly analysing images of a living room and bedroom that were shared on Encrochat, detectives were able to attribute the handle to Samuel Black. The images depicted Black counting large sums of money, and upon comparing the decoration and layout of the rooms in 2022, investigators discovered an exact match with a property Black had stayed in back in 2020.
Further evidence against Black was found through his online activities. His Encrochat nickname, ‘crack,’ was not only how others referred to him but also how he identified himself on the network. He openly discussed playing his PlayStation 4 and even shared an image of his TV displaying his account username, ‘Crack_west6.’ Additionally, Black made the grave mistake of uploading a picture of himself on his Encrochat device, providing law enforcement with invaluable evidence.
Detective Inspector Driss Hayoukane, part of Operation Eternal within the Met’s Specialist Crime team, emphasised the significant impact Black’s actions would have had on communities. Black’s relentless pursuit of profit, without regard for the violence and devastation it brings, resulted in large-scale drug and gun deals. However, the successful investigation and subsequent conviction have undoubtedly prevented further harm and violence that would have severely affected the community.
