Two men charged in Glasgow after encrypted communications cracked in Europe-wide operation

Two men have been charged in Glasgow as part of a Europe-wide operation analysing cracked encrypted devices.

Organised Crime and Counter Terrorist Unit arrested the men, aged 30, in the Cambuslang area as part of a large-scale operation targeting those involved in serious and organised crime and drug supply.

The arrests follows extensive enquiries by officers and international partners as part of Operation Venetic which is a continental operation that identifies and dismantles organised crime groups utilising encrypted devices.

The pair are due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Christmas Eve.

Detective Superintendent Steven Elliott stated: “Today’s arrests are a further outcome of the interrogation of EncroChat data by officers dedicated to identifying and disrupting organised crime groups operating in Scotland.

“Analysis of this data remains a priority, with advances in policing enabling us to continue progressing our enquiries.

“Working with partners we are now and will continue to be in a position to make further arrests.

“Our team continue to investigate and we will identify further individuals who used the EncroChat network and report their actions to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“This work is a priority to tackle serious and organised crime as part of the wider approach through the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce.”