Encrochat dealers 'buttermoon' and 'wavetrooper' ordered to pay £1. 5m

THE PAIR HAVE BEEN GIVEN THREE MONTHS TO HAND BACK THE CASH OR FACE SIX YEARS JAIL TIME 17:28, 21 May 2025 A pair of convicted drug dealers who led a conspiracy to flood Lancashire with over

£1m worth of illegal substances throughout 2020 have been ordered to pay back more than £1.5m. Neil Arkwright, 38, and Philip Jenkinson, 37, were identified as key members of an organised

crime group who used EncroChat to order shipments of class A and B drugs to Lancaster and Morecambe. EncroChat - a European-based communications network and service provider- had been used

by some organised crime groups to plan criminal activities by mobile telephone, Lancashire Live reports. Each user of EncroChat was assigned a ‘handle’ to communicate with gang members. The

duo, who went by the usernames 'BUTTERMOON' (Arkwright) and 'WAVETROOPER' (Jenkinson) on the encrypted messaging system, were arrested during a major police operation in

late-2021. During searches of premises across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, which were believed to have been used by the gang, cocaine, cannabis, weapons, a significant amount of

cryptocurrency and more than £100,000 in cash was found. Article continues below The total value of assets seized and restrained connected to the investigation was more than £1million. Both

men were jailed for their part in the conspiracy in 2023 with Arkwright, formerly of Ellenbrook Road, Manchester, sent to prison for 10 years and 8 months. Jenkinson, 37 of Westminster Road,

Morecambe, jailed for 12 years. A Proceeds of Crime hearing held at Preston Crown Court earlier this week heard how Arkwright had made £787,843.41 from his role in the conspiracy. His

assets were seized and valued at £806,850.30. Judge Richard Archer ordered him to pay back the full amount. Jenkinson had benefited to the tune of £1,454,155. 53. He had £758,090.80

available in assets which were seized as payment for his crimes. Both men were given three months to pay the full amounts, or face additional jail terms of up to six years. Twelve men were

arrested at the time, all of whom were later sentenced at Preston Crown Court in February 2023. All of them were jailed for a combined total of close to 100 years for drugs offences. They

were: * Neil Arkwright, 38 of Ellenbrook Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B and concealing criminal property – jailed for 10

years and 8 months. * Phillip Jenkinson, 37 of Westminster Road, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, concealing criminal

property and concerned in the exportation of prohibited goods – jailed for 12 years. * Aaron Dawson, 27 of Lythe Fell Avenue, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs,

conspiracy to supply Class B and concealing criminal property – jailed for 10 years and eight months – jailed for 6 years and 9 months. * Mark Boult, 61 of Yorkshire Street, Morecambe,

pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, concealing criminal property and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – jailed for 9 years

and 4 months. * Aaron Dickinson, 39 of Grayrigg Drive, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and possessing criminal property –

jailed for 6 years. * Cy Boswell, 25 of Royds Avenue, Heysham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs – jailed for 5 years. * David

Harrison, 26 of Globe Drive, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs – jailed for 5 years and 4 months. * Keiron Webster, 34 of

Gressingham Drive, Lancaster, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs – jailed for 17 years and 1 month. * Maurice Bragg, 45 of Old

Market Court, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs – jailed for 8 years and 6 months. * Nicky Gregory, 33 of Greenfinch Way,

Heysham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs – jailed for 5 years and 2 months. Article continues below * Graham Hey, 36 of St Christopher’s Way, Morecambe, pleaded guilty

to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply cannabis – jailed for 6 years. * Terry Peel, 50 of Hammerton Hall Close, Lancaster, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to

supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, possessing criminal property and concealing criminal property – jailed for 6 years and 8 months.