@streetcrimeuk: COURTNEY FRECKLETON AKA NINES – CONTACTED AN UNKNOWN EXPORTER TO ARRANGE A LARGE-SCALE UK SHIPMENT Courtney Freckleton, better known as British rapper Nines, built a successful music career with charting albums and millions of streams. But away from the music, an encrypted communications platform would provide investigators with evidence of his involvement in a major organised operation. THE ENCROCHAT INVESTIGATION The case emerged following the international breakthrough into EncroChat, an encrypted communications service that had been used by people involved in organised crime across Europe. After authorities gained access to messages being exchanged on the platform, UK investigators were able to examine conversations that had previously been hidden. Among the accounts identified was one linked to Freckleton. The messages revealed discussions surrounding significant quantities of illegal substances and plans to move them into the UK. A LARGE-SCALE SHIPMENT Investigators discovered that Freckleton had been communicating with an unidentified exporter. The conversations concerned arranging a substantial shipment destined for Britain. This wasn't being treated as a small local operation. The communications indicated planning at a much higher level, with discussions concerning quantities, transportation and arrangements for bringing the shipment into the country. The evidence gave investigators an insight into how the operation was being organised behind the scenes. THE OPERATION EXPANDS Police continued analysing the EncroChat material and began building a detailed picture of Freckleton's involvement. The investigation also identified another man, Jason Thompson, who was connected to the operation. Messages and other evidence were examined as detectives worked to establish the roles played by those involved. The investigation eventually led officers directly to Freckleton. THE ARREST In June 2020, police stopped Freckleton while he was driving. His arrest became part of the wider investigation into the organised operation uncovered through EncroChat. Officers continued examining communications and other evidence recovered during the investigation. The material would eventually form an important part of the prosecution case. FROM MUSIC SUCCESS TO COURT By this point, Nines was already a major name in UK music. His albums had achieved significant chart success and his music had attracted millions of streams and views. His growing profile meant the case attracted considerable public attention. But inside court, the focus wasn't on his music career. It was on the evidence gathered during the investigation. THE CASE AGAINST FRECKLETON Prosecutors alleged that Freckleton had played an important role in arranging the movement and supply of significant quantities of illegal substances. The EncroChat conversations were central to demonstrating the scale of the operation. The messages provided investigators with evidence of discussions that would otherwise have remained private. Freckleton eventually admitted offences connected to the operation. THE SENTENCE In October 2021, Freckleton appeared at Harrow Crown Court for sentencing. He received a prison sentence of two years and eight months. Jason Thompson was also sentenced for his involvement. The court proceedings brought an end to an investigation that had exposed another network through the EncroChat breakthrough. ENCROCHAT CHANGES THE LANDSCAPE The Freckleton case was one of many UK investigations that followed the international EncroChat operation. For investigators, gaining access to the encrypted communications provided an unprecedented window into organised networks. Conversations that users believed were completely private suddenly became evidence. Names could be connected to accounts. Movements could be reconstructed. Deals could be examined. And plans that had previously existed only inside encrypted conversations could be presen

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Friday 21 August 2026 20:25:19 GMT