A member of an organised crime gang in the south Wales valleys, who played the role of an “accountant” in a cocaine conspiracy, has been ordered to repay a sum of £11,000. Nicholas Kirkham-Jones, 32, was part of a group that conspired to supply 70kg of cocaine, with encrypted messages sent via the communication network EncroChat.
The gang, led by two masterminds known as Mark Jenkins and Mark Davies, planned to distribute millions of pounds worth of cocaine. Kirkham-Jones was recruited by Jenkins and operated as the group’s accountant, handling around £170,000 of illicit funds. He received payments for counting and sorting money but played no other role in the conspiracy.
The group’s operations involved individual deliveries of up to five kilograms of cocaine, with couriers transporting the drugs. The gang also proposed using food packages to move both drugs and money. The conspiracy was exposed after French law enforcement cracked the EncroChat network, leading to a subsequent police investigation named Operation Draco.
Kirkham-Jones, residing in Pontrhydyrun, Cwmbran, was sentenced to five years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court. During his arrest, police found an encrypted phone and a money counting machine at his home. In a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing, the court determined Kirkham-Jones benefited from his illegal activities to the sum of £11,254 and ordered him to repay the amount within three months.
This case highlights the consequences faced by individuals involved in criminal enterprises, even those in ancillary roles like accounting. The crackdown on organised crime groups like this serves as a warning to others considering similar activities in the future. The justice system remains vigilant in pursuing those responsible for drug trafficking and related crimes to maintain the safety and security of communities.