Overview

• Jamie Rothwell received a 43-year term for directing underworld shootings and running multimillion-pound drug and weapons operations from his Spanish base.
• Prosecutors used hacked EncroChat communications obtained under Operation Venetic to tie Rothwell to £7 million of cocaine deals, arms trafficking and a planned Warrington shooting.
• Rothwell was extradited back to the UK twice before appearing by video link from HMP Wakefield for his sentencing hearing.
• Regional courts this week also imposed prison sentences and restraining orders in cases spanning Snapchat blackmail, Piccadilly Station thefts confirmed by CCTV, dangerous police pursuits and online stalking.
• Authorities pointed to a growing reliance on encrypted chats, social-media logs and CCTV in coordinated multi-agency efforts to lock up organised-crime figures and interpersonal offenders.