@criminalbritain: 🎮 A DRUG DEALER HID BEHIND ENCROCHAT — THEN GAVE HIMSELF AWAY WITH HIS PLAYSTATION USERNAME. Josh Smith, 29, thought he was operating anonymously behind the EncroChat handle “Frostyfirm”, arranging the supply of huge quantities of drugs across Merseyside. But investigators working through thousands of encrypted messages started piecing together tiny clues about the man behind the account. Smith had mentioned personal details including his age, his brother and a business connected to his mother. Then came one of the biggest giveaways. He sent another EncroChat user a photograph of his television — and visible on the screen was his PlayStation username: “Josh-Smith-1878.” 🎮 Investigators were able to connect the username and other information from the messages back to Smith. The EncroChat evidence showed he had supplied approximately: 🔴 8kg of cocaine 🔴 6kg of heroin 🔴 24kg of cannabis resin The National Crime Agency estimated the drugs he supplied were worth around £500,000. (National Crime Agency) When officers later searched his home, they found £81,000 in cash, cocaine, MDMA and ketamine, two Rolex watches and more than £100,000 worth of designer clothes and accessories. Smith pleaded guilty to offences involving the supply of cocaine, heroin, cannabis resin, MDMA and ketamine, along with possession of criminal property. On 18 September 2026, he was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to nine years and nine months in prison. (National Crime Agency) One photograph. One username. And the supposedly anonymous identity behind “Frostyfirm” started to unravel. 📍 Liverpool / Merseyside #EncroChat #OperationVenetic #LiverpoolCrime #UKCrime #fyp

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Monday 28 September 2026 11:30:00 GMT